February 27/08 4:39 am - Cycling in the News

Posted by Editoress on 02/27/08
 

Two-year ban recommended for Giro winner Di Luca

Danilo Di Luca should receive a maximum two-year ban for an irregular test during his victory at last year's Giro d'Italia, the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor recommended Wednesday.

Read the full article at The Globe and Mail


Leipheimer reflects on victorious recent past, uncertain near-future

"The Tour of California has to expand," Santa Rosa's Levi Leipheimer said. "It's to the point it has such a foothold that it could go up against some of the premier races in Europe, if they (race organizers) want to step up. Running it during May-June would be perfect."

Read the full article at The Press Democrat


Scot smashes world cycling record

A politics graduate from Scotland has broken the world record for the fastest cycle around the world, covering 80,000 miles and beating the previous record holder by 81 days.

Read the full article at The Journal


McQuaid accuses ASO of eyeing 'financial takeover' of cycling's major races

UCI president Pat McQuaid accused the organizers of the Tour de France and Paris-Nice of trying to "buy up" cycling's major events.

The Amaury Sports Organization, which owns both events, said Tuesday that the Paris-Nice race will go ahead next month under its own rules despite opposition from the International Cycling Union, which has asked teams to boycott the season's first significant stage race.

Read the full article at The Canadian Press


WADA insists doping controls must be strict despite UCI vs. ASO feud

The World Anti-Doping Agency called on cycling authorities to guarantee thorough doping tests at the Paris-Nice race and offered help to ensure compliance with its code.

Read the full article at International Herald Tribune


Cyclists unhappy at being caught in power struggle between UCI and ASO

A group representing professional cyclists says the riders are caught in the middle the dispute between the International Cycling Union and the organizers of the Tour de France.

Read the full article at International Herald Tribune


Pro teams defy UCI over Paris-Nice

Cycling's governing body the International Cycling Union (UCI) suffered a grievous blow to their authority on Wednesday as the professional teams signed up for the first major stage race of the season the Paris-Nice defied them and agreed to compete in it.

Pat McQuaid, president of the UCI, had called on the teams to boycott the race as part of his body's ongoing dispute with the race's parent company ASO (Amaury Sports Organisation) - also the organisers of the Tour de France.

Read the full article at AFP


UCI ruling vital to Olympic hopes

Cycling Australia is urgently seeking a ruling over Olympic Games qualifying criteria, with several star Cyclones in danger of missing Beijing.

Read the full article at Fox Sports


UCI anti-doping chief warns riders on human growth hormones

UCI anti-doping chief Anne Gripper believes the defiance of Tour de France organizers in the dispute with world cycling's governing body could undermine anti-drug efforts.

Gripper also warned riders that despite there currently not being an effective test for human growth hormone, frozen serum could be analyzed and used as evidence for eight years in a doping investigation.

Read the full article at Canada East


Rock Racing starts anti-drug program

Continuing its commitment to the sport of cycling and clean competition, Rock Racing today announced plans for an aggressive internal team anti-doping program. This internal anti-doping initiative underscores Rock Racing's, and Team Owner Michael Ball's, willingness to take every measure to ensure that its members race clean and fair.

Read the full article at STl today


Bike Train IIËœBike Harder

Forget the snow, it's time to start planning your summer of cycling. The TorontoˆNiagara Bike Train will be returning this year with an expanded schedule, more travel options, and some getaway package deals. Building on last summer's successful pilot program which saw dozens of cyclists and their bikes riding the train between Toronto and Niagara Falls on each of four weekends, the 2008 edition of the Bike Train spans eight weekends from late June through the end of September.

Read the full article at Torontoist


Cycling legend Armstrong to visit Madison for smoking ban

Seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong will come to Madison in a week to advocate for a ban on smoking in Wisconsin, his foundation announced Tuesday.

Read the full article at Badger Herald


Olympians face tough opponent: pollution

Eat an orange. Wear a face mask. Train elsewhere and fly in at the last possible moment to compete. These are some of the strategies suggested for Olympic athletes planning to compete in Beijing, where a thick cloud of smog often blankets one of the world's most polluted cities.

Read the full article at The Times of India