2 years for Fertonani and testosterone

Do the crime, cop the fine. The disciplinary committee of the Italian cycling federation has suspended Marco Fertonani of Caisse d'Epargne for two years. The 31-year-old tested positive for testosterone after the Tour Mediterranean in February. The team suspended him in July when the test results were made public.

Leukemans and DHEA?

Oh Bjorn! First he denied it, claiming he has a naturally high ratio and has explained it all before. Then he came up with the 'sex the night before' theory (admittedly better than the Landis-and-alcohol theory). Now we have a new excuse - I trusted the doctor. Sounds like an old one, but a good one. It all revolves around DHEA - favourite of naturopaths world-wide. Feeling off colour? Try this!

Read the CN story: Björn Leukemans' positive test for testosterone was due to a product mistakenly prescribed by a team Predictor-Lotto doctor, according to the Belgian newspaper De Morgen, which further reported that the team has fired the doctor. It was, however, unclear as to why the rider was given the product in the first place. The newspaper claimed that the doctor, whose name is not given, gave Leukemans the product Prasteron, which contains the steroid DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone). DHEA is similar to testosterone and is on the forbidden list.

Mayo on the unfairness of it all.

I always thought Iban Mayo's riding had an up-and-down quality that was either engagingly honest or deeply suspicious. So when he was caught out during this year's tour it was not so surprising. But I do agree with the unfairness of the public drama - did he dope or didn't he? Which sample was correct? And will the UCI go to any length to 'prove' its case against him? Or is he just guilty as charged?

Iban states his case: "I also thought that they want to demonstrate something, that they want to demolish the generation of cyclists I belong to. They are playing with the life of a person, with the sporting career of a rider that dedicated 30 years to it. This is something that nobody can take lightly, because the rules have to be respected," Mayo added, explaining that he thought the UCI did not stick to the rules in his case. "They accuse me of being a cheater? Of not having respected the norms of the Tour de France? So they are doing the same."

Rasmussen to sue?

Can you really blame him? Imagine leading the biggest event in world cycling, the world at your feet, eyes on the prize and... nothing. It all gets snatched away over a technicality. Like who really cares if you have said you were somewhere you actually weren't? It's just a detail. Life is full of details. It doesn't mean you doped, does it? Innuendo and suspicion is not enough, nor little white lies over location. And it was not proved that he doped. To have the opportunity in front of you and to be stripped of all chance - and dropped from your team is heartless, cruel and way over the top. It was an over-reaction and demands retribution. Well 'Chicken' Rasmussen must think so, anyway: Michael Rasmussen is apparently planning to take Team Rabobank to court to contest his withdrawal from the Tour de France and his dismissal from the team this summer. The 33 year-old Dane has hired Dutch lawyers, who have confirmed to the Belga press agency that they have been engaged. Funny word, 'engaged'. Hope they have a nice life together. Oh well.

Di Luca quite appealing

Well he's certainly appealing his 3 month ban. From CN: Giro d'Italia winner Danilo Di Luca has appealed his three-month suspension relating to the Oil for Drugs investigation. The 31 year-old Italian from Abruzzo, accused of using the services of Doctor Carlo Santuccione, appealed the Italian cycling federation (FCI) Disciplinary Commission's decision of last October to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Doctor Santuccione cops a life ban

It's been a bit quiet lately but that doesn't mean there's no smoke, or fire. He's been implicated in several riders' doping histories, and now he's out for life. It's Dr Carlo Santuccione...
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has handed a life ban to controversial doctor Carlo Santuccione, preventing him from any future involvement in sport. Santuccione, who was previously banned from the Italian cycling federation from 1995-2000, was accused of supplying doping products to athletes as part of the Oil for Drugs investigation