Adverse analytical finding in recent mountain bike stage race

You are right, rules are rules and the rules provide for a TUE (therapeutic use exemption) for people in your position.

 

Fill out the form and tell them what you are on and why BEFORE the event (or after you got bust if you are LA) and you are good to race.

 

It is neither complicated nor difficult. It is also relatively fair.

Good call! I missed that one.

Saw Bruce Fordyce on Tv in an interview with Ali B

Looked fine to me

Damn right, Fordyce's face has character - he earned those lines - Sly's face looks like an overripe grapefruit.

 

What if the banned substance does not give you a tangible advantage?

 

I know some things I am on for non sport reasons, no advantage to sport but are banned. It may in fact make me slower. I think the point is the rules are rules, regardless of advantage or not.

My point exactly. Why force the issue on a couple of rules but not the others? Surely that is cause to question the UCI, SAIDS and the Epic's objectivity on the matter.

As a close friend of Barry Warmback for about 20 years.

I support him and his opinioins.

So I've been waiting for news of my fate over my doping charges for a while now.

Saw Swiss Van asking in another thread what's come of the whole thing. I figured because I posted about it on this open forum that I'd keep you up to date. If only for interest sake.

Received an email from the UCI today offering me an 'Acceptance of Sanction'

I have no problem with this Sanction, in which I'll be serving a 2 year ban. I said I'll take responsibility for my actions. What I do have a problem with is paying a 2500 Swiss Franc fine along with this signed Acceptance of Sanction. That translates to a little over R26 000. Not a chance...!

I thought there's probably very little chance any of you will ever get to see what any of these letters look like, so I've decided to attach them for you to read yourselves.

The explanation I sent to the UCI and CSA was very similar to what I posted here, albeit slightly edited to make it easier for the UCI to read. My original admission of guilt here had quite a bit of slang and South African lingo in it, so I just omitted some of that.

2013 05 30.r.explanation.UCI.017.13.pdf

Two More...

2013 07 29.r.proposition.acceptance.sanction.UCI.017.13.pdf

Acceptance of Sanction.pdf

I agree-tell them to bugger off!

If it means you can't ride a UCI sanctioned event- does it really matter?

There are only a couple in RSA anyway...

Well the letter stated that if I refuse to consent to the Acceptance of Sanction, then the UCI will ask CSA to initiate disciplinary proceedings against me.

I've said I'm okay with that.

Not out of arrogance, but I just feel as though that fine is unreasonable, and I'd rather see what CSA have to say about it.

What I do have a problem with is paying a 2500 Swiss Franc fine along with this signed Acceptance of Sanction. That translates to a little over R26 000. Not a chance...!

My first reaction was the same, but then I was wondering - who should carry the man-hour cost for your tests? Do you think it is fair that other UCI members sponsor it?

Just for reference: I'm not a UCI member and don't read medicine labels when I'm sick. (Would probably test positive as well.)

Well the letter stated that if I refuse to consent to the Acceptance of Sanction, then the UCI will ask CSA to initiate disciplinary proceedings against me.

I've said I'm okay with that.

Not out of arrogance, but I just feel as though that fine is unreasonable, and I'd rather see what CSA have to say about it.

Pardon my ignorance but I thought the hearings took place and now you await your official ban for 2 years. Do they want to file criminal charges as well now?

What's the worst they can do- ban you from CSA events?

There are enough races out there that it doesn't matter for a 'non pro / social' rider.

I only see it being an issue for guys earning a living from their racing.

And this is in no way me supporting light sentences on dopers- in general I support life bans for all dopers.

I just know this situation and think there was ulterior motives to testing a back marker of your physical appearance...

My first reaction was the same, but then I was wondering - who should carry the man-hour cost for your tests? Do you think it is fair that other UCI members sponsor it?

 

Just for reference: I'm not a UCI member and don't read medicine labels when I'm sick. (Would probably test positive as well.)

A full screen test for all the substances on the Prohibited List costs R1260.00. An EPO test R1740.00.

R26 390.17 seems a bit excessive.

I was the only one caught, out of all those tested. They tested an average of 15 riders a day. Who's paying for all of those tests...?

its all a monumental crock of ****

Pardon my ignorance but I thought the hearings took place and now you await your official ban for 2 years. Do they want to file criminal charges as well now?

Nope, no hearings yet.

What's the worst they can do- ban you from CSA events?

There are enough races out there that it doesn't matter for a 'non pro / social' rider.

I only see it being an issue for guys earning a living from their racing.

 

And this is in no way me supporting light sentences on dopers- in general I support life bans for all dopers.

I just know this situation and think there was ulterior motives to testing a back marker of your physical appearance...

Seems trivial and insignificant, but honestly, for me, not being able to participate in events with my mates is quite punishing. I'd love to ride 3 Towers this year. 2 years of no events is really ***.

A full screen test for all the substances on the Prohibited List costs R1260.00. An EPO test R1740.00.

R26 390.17 seems a bit excessive.

I was the only one caught, out of all those tested. They tested an average of 15 riders a day. Who's paying for all of those tests...?

I guess membership fees or event fees cover the 'clean' (& positive) test's lab work. (I really don't know) But I was not clear in my initial question - it was more around the man-hours around the admin after a 'positive' was found in the lab.

I do agree it is a crazy amount of money for admin though. Lets say it was more reasonable in ZAR - my question is still, who should be responsible for the post lab work man-hour costs?

The costs are a deterrent.

The salary cost of a Swiss lawyer

They want 2500 swiss franks... are they effing nuts?

Id tell them to **** right off, ive accepted my ban.

Then before they bitch to CSA, inform CSA that before they start with any disciplinary proceedings of any kind that they must also **** off and not bother contacting you, wasting your time or theirs.

Just out of interest; have you tried entering any of the events, e.g. Three Towers or even a one day event? Would love to see whether it actually identifies you as a banned rider and stops you from entering.

That's a really BIG fine, but I suppose if you run with the big dogs..........you have to accept the same risks as any other rider doing a UCI sanctioned race. I can't tell you how best to deal with it, you have to figure out what is right and wrong for you.

I would imagine that because the Epic is a UCI listed race, their rules surmount CSA's which in this case (and I imagine in every other) has a schedule that stipulates the relevant fines.

What is the CSA fine (if any) for an admission of guilt in an adverse analytical finding? Can't imagine it is anywhere near R25k.

 

 

My first reaction was the same, but then I was wondering - who should carry the man-hour cost for your tests? Do you think it is fair that other UCI members sponsor it?

 

Just for reference: I'm not a UCI member and don't read medicine labels when I'm sick. (Would probably test positive as well.)

I would imagine that because the Epic is a UCI listed race, their rules surmount CSA's which in this case (and I imagine in every other) has a schedule that stipulates the relevant fines.

 

What is the CSA fine (if any) for an admission of guilt in an adverse analytical finding? Can't imagine it is anywhere near R25k.

If they do want the bucks tell them you cant afford it all and if they want the money they must come collect R500 installments every month as you have a family to feed. Its that or nothing.

Seems trivial and insignificant, but honestly, for me, not being able to participate in events with my mates is quite punishing. I'd love to ride 3 Towers this year. 2 years of no events is really ***.