Italian cyclist Franco Pellizotti plans to sue the International Cycling Union (UCI) for €200,000, according to Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport. He has not raced since last spring, when the UCI announced he had suspicious anti-doping values.
On May 3, the UCI announced Pellizotti had suspicious blood and urine readings, and asked the Italian authorities to open an investigation. The announcement stopped Pellizotti from following up on his 2009 results: second overall at the Giro d'Italia and winner of the mountains competition at the Tour de France.
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) investigated the UCI's findings and recommended a two-year suspension. However, the Italian anti-doping tribunal (TNA) disagreed, saying there was not sufficient evidence to prove doping. The TNA's decision on October 21 freed Pellizotti to race.
Pellizotti is now without a team. Italy's top team, Liquigas did not renew his contract at the end of last year. His last hope may be with Spain's first division team, Movistar. However, any potential team is worried the UCI will appeal the TNA's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"Pellizotti's case is still open," the UCI told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "The UCI will decide in the next days if it will appeal to CAS."
The UCI's decision is expected by January 13. Pellizotti and his lawyer, Rocco Taminelli, are not waiting. They will sue the UCI for €200,000 for legal costs and psychological damage resulting from the trial. In addition, they plan to ask for compensation of lost earnings, bringing the total up to €800,000, if the CAS confirms the TNA's acquittal ruling.
Taminelli is willing to work with the UCI and not ask for compensation of lost earnings, but only if the UCI does not appeal to the CAS. The UCI will likely appeal as it did in a similar case involving Slovenian cyclist Tadej Valjavec. The CAS has yet to rule on Valjavec's case.