Dec 20, 2005
Drug News: Landaluze Positive
More bad news in the cycling world related to drug use. Inigo Landaluze has tested positive for a higher than normal level of testosterone in his system. Landy recorded a level of 8 nanograms of testosterone in his system which is twice the legal limit.
This positive test result came during the Dauphine Libere which Landaluze won while keeping Santiago Botero at bay. Landaluze will most likely be stripped of the Dauphine title and the vicotry will pass over to Santiago Botero. This positive test is another blow to the Euskatel Euskadi team as Aitor Gonzalez lost his Tour de Suisse title after testing positive for drug use.
This is just great… Maybe he should have thought twice about it before accepting that testosterone shot to “aid” recovery. Watch, now he will claim to have naturally high testosterone levels. All while pushing is body to the limit in the Dauphine.
Mags
http://roadrace1.blogspot.com/
I’m not as surprised by this revelation since Landaluze would be a classic candidate
for taking performance enhancing drugs. He came out of nowhere to provide his flailing team
an important victory with a strong challenger breathing down his neck.
I’m not surprised by this at all. In fact, I’ll be surprised if 1 or 2 more riders from the orange squad don’t get suspended next year. This team is ripe for doping:
1 – They are desperate for wins and the sponsor has threatened to pull funding if they don’t get results in 06′.
2 – They are at the bottom of the Pro Tour standings and the Basque fans are starting to get annoyed.
3 – I think this is a contract year for Mayo, Zubeldia, and others.
4 – They’ve resorted to dope in the past. You’ll note that they used to get results when they employed their “old” doctor, before he was summarily fired last year after some of the riders were found to have a high hematocrit.
The temptation is there with this team and I think it’s only a matter of time.
DP
It’s a bloody shame. Just a bloody shame.
Mags
http://roadrace1.blogspot.com/