Earpieces allowing riders to receive orders from team bosses during races will be banned on two stages of next month’s Tour de France.
“The management committee granted approval for earpieces to be banned on two stages,†the International Cycling Union governing body said in a statement on Thursday… Details
AIGLE, Switzerland (AP)—Five cyclists face doping charges based on suspicious test results gathered in a pioneering blood profiling system.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) said Wednesday it wants disciplinary cases opened against three Spaniards—Igor Astarloa, Ruben Lobato and Ricardo Serrano—and Italians Pietro Caucchioli and Francesco De Bonis.
They are the first riders facing charges based on evidence provided by the biological passport system that was launched 18 months ago by the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency.
All face a minimum two-year ban from their national federations, which are responsible for prosecuting the cases.
However, the UCI’s anti-doping manager Anne Gripper said the global governing body will seek four-year suspensions.
Caucchioli’s team Lampre said it had suspended … Details
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP)—Star cyclist Alexandre Vinokourov has been banned from next month’s Tour de France.
The top court in international sports said the 35-year-old Kazakh rider should have been barred for two years after being caught blood doping during the 2007 Tour.
The Kazakhstan cycling federation banned Vinokourov for only one year, but cycling’s governing body appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court said Tuesday that Vinokourov can compete again beginning July 24. This summer’s Tour starts July 4.
“Mr. Vinokurov committed an anti-doping rule violation,†CAS said in a statement. “(He) is declared ineligible for a period of two years.â€Â … Details