With all the vigor of an ankle-biting yip-dog, the AFLD has refused to release its death grip on the boot of the UCI. After two (or possibly three) doping positives announced in cycling in the last week, the French anti-doping agency has now moved the focus of its anti-UCI tirade to “incongruous” substances found at this year’s Tour de France.
To wit: blood pressure drugs Telmisartan and Quinapril, diabetes drug Sitagliptin—which could, in theory, protect muscle glycogen stores from breakdown—and the anti-convulsive Valpromide. Of course, the AFLD neglected to mention the name of the teams or riders involved, what hotels they were staying at, how frequently these substances were found, etc., because that might lead to some sort of coherent investigation, instead of just muddying the waters.
However impressive this “therapeutic arsenal” might be, the fact remains that none of the substances are on the WADA prohibited list, and since the AFLD is a WADA signatory, they really ought to be more respectful of the protocols that shuffle substances onto and off of that register. As it stands, the only nod to procedure seems to be a dubious claim that AFLD head Pierre Bordry “signalled” WADA about his findings back in July—somehow, I feel that not how most list amendments are made.
I think it’s pretty obvious—the UCI implied as much in their press response—who’s at the other end of Bordry’s leash, and honestly, I’d be fine with this power-play if AFLD had been methodical and open about their methods. A detailed report, with evidence of what they found and how often they found it, released shortly after the TdF, would be a welcome thing, regardless of political motivation; if more drugs need to be added to the list, or if the UCI really does need to step up their control procedures, I want to see it done as much as anyone.
But a sensationalist, week-long media blitz, aimed right at the media gap between the European road and ‘cross seasons is of no help to anyone—except, of course, the dopers. Stefan Schumacher, one of the first riders picked off by the new CERA test is now using the AFLD retesting as grounds to clear his name. Now that anything “incongruous” is an implicit exception to the rules, who knows how many others will follow suit.
The one thing I don’t understand them complaining about is the anti epilepsy drug. You can’t say that healthy people don’t get epilepsy.
I know a very healthy person that had to go on anti seizure medication.
You’re bang on with your analysis here. If they think there’s abuse then they should go through the procedure to get things on the banned substance list rather than raise black clouds over cycling over legal medication.
So, they found a bunch of non-prohibited, fully legal substances in the garbage that someone or other may or may not have used. And the problem is..?
They could question why a rider is using really aero wheels on a climbing stage; it could even seem ‘abnormal’ that an athlete would use heavy aero wheels on a climb…but it’s legal. Point final.
Pretty petty to make a deal like this when, as you say, they could use their trash can findings for good and start looking into the substances and the possibility of banning them.