The French sports newspaper L’Equipe published a secret list of cyclist names with the corresponding probability that they are using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). The International Cycling Union (UCI) categorized their assessment of various cyclists from the 2010 Tour de France rating cyclists on a 10-point scale as to their likelihood of using performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids or erythropoietin (EPO).
Those in the five lower categories warranted barely any scrutiny, with perhaps only one biological parameter giving scientists reason for concern, according to the paper.
The samples of riders in category five warranted “precise, and sometimes more affirmative commentary” from scientists, said the report, suggesting they may have been involved in some kind of manipulation.
Those in categories six and above (6-10) showed “overwhelming” evidence of some kind of doping, due to “recurring anomalies”, “enormous variations” in parameters, and even the “identification of doping products or methods”, according to L’Equipe.
The results of the biological passport for forty-two riders were classified as suspicious or highly suspicious with overwhelming evidence suggesting that they used PEDs. Dennis Menchov (RaboBank), Carlos Barredo (Quick Step), Yaroslav Popovych (Radio Shack), Matthew Lloyd, Jurgen Van den Broeck (Omega-Pharma), Andreas Klöden (Radio Shack), Tony Martin (HTC-Columbia), Michael Rogers (Team Sky), Linus Gerdemann (Team Sky), Geraint Thomas (Team Sky), Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre), Alessandro Ballan (BMC), Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) and Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky).
Ironically, the only athlete on the list to actually have tested positive for a banned PED during the 2010 Tour de France was assigned to category five. The 2010 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) tested positive for trace amounts of the beta-agonist clenbuterol hydrochloride; Contador was exonerated by the Spanish cycling federation in March 2011 but the decision is currently being reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Photo credit: Millard Baker
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