Still sitting out from competition as he awaits a decision from the UCI in relation to his biopassport values, Carlos Barredo has provided further information to the governing body.
“It was all by letter. The questions came in by letter, and Carlos just answered again,” Rabobank spokesman Richard Plugge clarified today, when contacted by VeloNation about the matter.
The team had earlier stated on Twitter that the rider had answered additional questions.
“It's a matter between the UCI and Barredo. But he consulted Rabobank and we helped him with his answers.”
On August 22nd the team issued a statement saying that he had been questioned earlier this summer in relation to his biological passport between 2007 and 2011. After working with the team to draw up answers, he returned them prior to the initial deadline of July 24th.
Barredo came under the media spotlight in May 2011 when l’Equipe published what it said was the UCI’s ‘Index of Suspicion’ in relation to the perceived doping risk of riders participating in the 2010 Tour de France.
He and Yaroslav Popovych were ranked highest in that list, being listed as ten out of ten. The UCI criticised the publication of the list at the time and played down its significance. Barredo later pointed out that the UCI had not tested him for many months, something he said was at odds with any suggestion that he was a rider of concern.
In the team’s August statement, Rabobank emphasised that no procedure had been opened. However that was slightly misleading as that step is usually only taken once a rider has given his or her explanation for the flagged blood values.
“Carlos Barredo denies in a statement to Rabobank Cycling Team that he is involved in any doping-related cases or the use of banned substances,” it said at the time. It added that the rider, who last competed in the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, would be sidelined from competition until the UCI had reached a final decision.
Barredo indicated then that the answer would come in mid-September, but that time has come and gone. Today’s update indicates the process is still continuing.
“He, and we, are awaiting for the answers by the UCI and we don't know when they will come,” Plugge said today. “This is a case between Barredo and the UCI. We will wait for UCI's answers.”
Barredo’s two-year contract is due to end this season. His chances of being retained or finding a deal elsewhere will depend on the final outcome in this situation.
“I continue training and waiting,” he said today via his Twitter account. “I can say thanks to Rabobank Cycling Team, my family and the people who are supporting and helping me.”
The Spaniard has been a professional since 2004, and has competed with the Liberty Seguros, Quick Step – Innergetic and Rabobank teams. His top career result thus far is a stage win in the 2010 Vuelta a España.