UCI to see Richards over allegations
By Julien Pretot
PLATEAU-DE-BEILLE, France, July 22 (Reuters) - International Cycling Union (UCI) officials will meet former cyclist Whitney Richards next week to discuss allegations by the American about the transport of illegal substances, UCI president Pat McQuaid said on Sunday.
“I heard that Richards sent an e-mail to the UCI anti-doping department saying he had information,” McQuaid told Reuters.
“This e-mail has been forwarded to the UCI legal department, which is looking at it.”
Richards told Velonews and the Sunday Times that in 2002 he had been asked to carry a box containing “eight cartons of what appeared to be an American-made human blood substitute” from the United States to Italy.
McQuaid said the UCI needed proof of any allegation.
“We are waiting to make contact with (Richards). Any allegation will have to be backed up with proof,” said McQuaid.
“We have no problem seeing him. But before going any further we will need evidence.”
Richards told Velonews and the Sunday Times that when he discovered the packs of blood he contacted a friend who had a doctorate in physiology.
According to Richards, they both decided to pour the contents of the packs down the sink. Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen has been at the centre of a controversy since Thursday when the Danish Cycling Union (DCU) announced he had been dropped from the national team for the world championships and the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
The Dane failed to provide the DCU and UCI with details of his movements and therefore missed two dope tests before the start of the Tour.
Asked about the newspaper articles, Rasmussen declined to comment, saying he could only answer questions about the race.
He’s not finishing the Tour.
How did he ever start?
Dave
Because nothing was released until about 7 days into the tour. Coinidentally when he took over the jersey.
Seems weird he has been allowed to continue.
Dave
Seems weird he has been allowed to continue.
Why??? While the Chicken MAY be as dirty as they come, what evidence has been produced that justifies kicking him out of the race? Unless you want this to become a new team tactic…
< team meeting, mid tour de france>
“Jesus, that “dude” is kicking our asses!”
“Don’t worry, I know a guy who will call the UCI and claim that “dude” asked me to carry what turned out to be drugs for him. He’ll be out of the race long before they find our my guy’s story was made up.”
Let’s see some real evidence please.