Former US Pro Joe Papp has been handed down an eight year ban from competition as a result of what is the second doping violation of his career. The Philadelphian was originally given a two year sanction in May 2006, and has avoided a potential lifetime ban by cooperating with anti-doping authorities since 2007.
“This non-analytical anti-doping rule violation is a result of Papp distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs on behalf of a Chinese drug distributor via the Internet for which he was also charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for violations of federal law,” said USADA in a statement. “Papp pled guilty to two felony charges as a result.”
Papp is still waiting to hear the penalty for those charges, with his sentencing due this month.
His eight year sanction begins on September 1st 2007, the date when he accepted a provisional sanction, and expires on August 31st 2015.
The 36 year old testified during Floyd Landis’ trial, speaking about his experience of doping and disputing Landis’ claims then that testosterone is not used in the pro peloton. Given that cooperation, it was a big surprise to many when it emerged that he had been helping distribute banned products bought via the Eposino webite.
He recently made headlines when he disclosed that he had helped Jeannie Longo’s husband and coach Patrice Ciprelli purchase EPO from the website. Those revelations saw Ciprelli suspended and thus banned from attending the world championships, as well as Longo withdrawing from the races in Copenhagen. She continues to insist she is innocent, but this is being investigated.
USADA said that the American rider’s cooperation has helped reduce his punishment. “Papp, 36, received a reduction to an eight-year sanction in accordance with the rules since he has provided substantial assistance to anti-doping authorities, sharing information about ongoing criminal activity as well as potential anti-doping rule violations by athletes under USADA’s jurisdiction and/or the jurisdiction of other anti-doping organizations,” it said.
He has been stripped of all results achieved on and after January 1st 2007.
Papp competed in the US and internationally, riding races in South America, Europe and Asia.