World cycling’s governing body, the UCI, has appealed the decision of the Russian cycling federation, the FVSR, not to ban Katusha rider Alexander Kolobnev following his positive test for hydrochlorothiazide during this year’s Tour de France.
Instead, the FVSR fined the 30-year-old rider, who has always maintained that he ingested the substance innocently, 1,500 Swiss Francs, equivalent to a little over £1,000. He also received a warning as to his future conduct.
Kolobnev withdrew voluntarily from July’s race after it was revealed he a sample taken on the day of Stage 5 from Carhaix to Cap Frehel had returned a positive result. Subsequently, his B sample also tested positive. Kolobnev was the only rider to fail a doping control during this year's race.
Confirmation that the case had been appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was made yesterday by UCI President Pat McQuaid, reports Eurosport. The UCI is likelt to ask CAS to suspend the rider for two years.
Since winning the Montepaschi Eroica (now the Strade Bianche) and one stage of Paris-Nice in 2007, Kolobnev’s career has been marked by near missed in a string of big races.
In 2007 and again in 2009, the Russian finished runner-up in the world championship road race. In between, he finished fourth in the Olympic road race in Beijing in 2008, but was subsequently promoted to bronze medal position after silver medallist Davide Rebellin failed a drugs test.
He also finished second in the Clasica de San Sebastian in 2008 and in the 2010 edition of Liege-Bastogne-Liege, as well as third in the Giro di Lombardia in 2009.
No mention of how not to turn up sweaty as the end of the journey. Tsk, tsk Emily.
The Baent tubes (also from aliexpress) have threaded metal valves reinforced where they join the tube. A little heavier than the ride now but I...
Yepp, I would much rather be looking at large car parks right in front of a beach, filled with oversized cars, which is the usual alternative. ...
The truth is than in the Netherlands that I saw them, they were indeed a bit huge for cycle infra. However they were rather rare.
Those calipers arent the prettiest. Makes them look like Post-mount.
I'm all for a much more socialist approach to the sorts of things you mention, where there are clear market failures and a need for decent...
Zorbing balls - if it saves just one life
12 corners in just over 2km is a terrifying prospect if it rains!
I think it's:...
As it's often said -'the way to justify the building of a bridge is not too count the number of people swimming the crocodile infested river!'