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.
If self entitled drivers drove according to the highway code and within speed limits, cyclists wouldn't need cycle lanes, idiots!
And the driver not?
A family member bought a new Giant bike for their daughter, who complained the brakes were rubbing; I offered to check the brakes to save them a...
Had a weird problem end of last summer, on the Getting to Work bike, 26inch latex tubed, while the Rohloff was getting seals replaced, and on...
I lived over the road from De Ver's for a couple of years back in the mists of time and bought a few bits and pieces from Maurice when needed....
Yer nicked !!!
Personally. I think his sentence is rather short given the fact that he killed two people, fled the county and managed to stay on the run for over...
Shouldn't that be 8 legs?
Fair point. Without pointing too far (e.g. across the North Sea) - there are some local bits which are "mostly good enough" for me:...
If you've a wide foot, try the Lake 238 wide - they're the best thing since god knows.. 👌 (make sure you get the correct length tho)