FRENCH ANTI-DOPING AUTHORITIES ADMIT PEREIRO INNOCENT
The French Anti-Doping Authorities (AFLD) have announced on Thursday that Oscar Pereiro?s supposedly suspicious use of the drug salbutamol was in fact completely justified. As Pereiro had repeatedly stated, the AFLD have now also accepted he is a confirmed asthma sufferer, has every right to possess a Therapeutic Use Exemption [TUE] from the UCI and is therefore allowed to take salbutamol to treat the asthma.
?We have made an in-depth study of the Pereiro case and we have confirmed that his medical documents show he has not crossed any lines.? AFLD president Pierre Bordry commented. ?So there will be no further investigation.?
The suspicions of doping surrounding the Spaniard - raised when French newspaper Le Monde wrongly accused Pereiro of testing ?positive? in the Tour de France in 2006 for the banned drug - have therefore disappeared. Pereiro stands in line to inherit the Tour 2006 victory should American Floyd Landis? positive test for testosterone finally be confirmed.
The fact that Pereiro?s name has appeared in the media at all over this case has been widely condemned. Even WADA president Dick Pound, not known as one of cycling?s biggest fans, has said he found it incomprehensible that the story was leaked to the press.
Pereiro was the only cyclist named by AFLD director Pierre Bordry last week to Le Monde as being under investigation by the AFLD - unlike the ten French riders in an identical situation, not identified by Bordry. In the same article about his alleged positive - which was their front page headline last week - Le Monde uttered dark hints about Pereiro's possible dope taking, saying that the Spaniard was ?no longer claiming that he should be Tour de France winner - and for a reason.?
After the AFLD?s finding, Bordry said he regretted that Pereiro had taken so long to hand in his medical documents outlining his condition as an asthmatic - something also criticised by the UCI. But Bordry offered no explanation at all why he had leaked Pereiro?s name to Le Monde in the first place. As for the newspaper itself, as of Thursday evening, their website did not mention anywhere that Pereiro had been cleared.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Tanfield brothers in race against clock to form new UCI Continental team
British riders have until 6 December to form new squad after collapse of Saint Piran and Trinity Racing
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The Wahoo Bolt is still my favourite cycling computer and it's now reduced by 25%... but for how long?
Amazon is offering significant discounts of both the Bolt V2 and the Roam V2
By Luke Friend Published