UCI to investigate (Lance) Armstrong charges

msnbc.com ^ | Oct 6, 2005 | AP

[proud_yank]

AIGLE, Switzerland - The International Cycling Union has appointed a Dutch lawyer to conduct an independent investigation into allegations Lance Armstrong tested positive for EPO during the 1999 Tour de France.

The cycling body said Thursday that Emile Vrijman and his law firm would “undertake a comprehensive investigation regarding all issues concerning the testing conducted by the French laboratory of urine samples” from the ’99 Tour.

Vrijman’s firm is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and he is a former director of the Netherlands’ national anti-doping agency.

[proud_yank]

Cycling did not test for EPO until 2001. Backup “B” samples from 1999 were frozen and tested for EPO last year. Any sanctions are unlikely because the original “A” samples were used up and can’t be verified for confirmation.

Is it just me, or does this last paragraph basically state that there is no way that they can prove what they are trying to?? Furthermore, why wasn't this brought up in 2001 when testing for EPO first began?

France. I think they just like to lose. Crying the same river, 60 years later. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same....

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

They are going to piss Armstrong off enough to go win the race again, just to rub their noses in it, and I for one would love to see that happen.

[Mister Baredog]

I hope Lance comes out of retirement and kicks their FRog asses one more time, that's the only way I'll ever watch their friggin race again.

[w1andsodidwe]

Furthermore, why wasn't this brought up in 2001 when testing for EPO first began?

It only became a problem when Lance went to the ranch and cycled with the President this summer. Think Bill Cosby and the women coming out of the woodwork to say he drugged them after making speech support education and behavioral changes for black children. You just don't want to tick off the Libs.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Any 'proof' will be a proof of thier violation of testing protocols. If they're willing to violate this protocol then what is to keep them from violating any trust - like the truth? Democracy, the rule of fools by fools.

[Not_Who_U_Think]

I've read that the latest EPO test has a high false positive rate, and there are several ongoing disputes over recent results. To anyone who investigates this, it is obvious that there was a motive to smear Lance. They just hate it, but there's no getting around he's the best cyclist in the world.

Here's a guy who's done so much good, served as an inspiration to millions, and sets an excellent example of sportsmanship. If he were French, this would have never come up.

I got back on a bike because of him, and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.