Despite countless checks and controls, the number of positive tests confined to cycling is greater than any other sport.
Following the conclusion of the recent Tour de France, in less than a month, another Kazakh rider Andrey Kashechkin has become the second Astana rider to test positive for blood doping.
Failing a blood test on August 1, Kashechkin has been suspended with immediate effect by the Swiss team. Under the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) anti-doping charter, the 27-year-old now faces a two-year suspension from the sport, with a fine equivalent to one year’s salary.
Kashechkin was placed 8th in the overall classification after 15th stage of the 2007 Tour de France. However, his Tour errand was finally ruined as the Astana team pulled out from the event following team leader Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for doping. Moreover, a number of other high-profile doping cases completely marred last month’s Tour de France.
French Anti-Doping Agency president Pierre Bordry said:
It shows that the UCI does a good job. I think one rider being tested positive for this kind of doping is a lot, two is too much. It is quite dreadful to see that in some teams, there is this kind of practice.
With the Tour of Spain approaching next month, the UCI and World’s Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) should ensure that no single rider is further involved in tarnishing the sport and implement more stern actions to completely eradicate the menace.
Tour of Spain organizers are reported to have invested nearly 180,000 euros in an extensive program to combat doping before and during the next month’s contest.
Via: Stuff
