The UCI has responded to yesterday’s news that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has backed two year bans for Franco Pellizotti and Pietro Caucchioli, saying that it is a validation for its biological passport and an important moment in the battle against banned substances.
“The decisions announced by CAS yesterday are a major step forward in the anti-doping fight,” it stated. “They confirm the validity of the biological passport as an essential instrument in the fight against doping, which will most certainly become part of the arsenal of other international sporting federations that wish to draw on the UCI’s experience.”
The UCI is one of the first international bodies to have introduced the passport, which looks for indirect signs of doping rather than relying on traditional positive tests. It suggests that further additions are likely in the future.
“The decisions also reinforce the UCI’s determination to continue its uncompromising policy of many years in the fight against doping and to continually improve its anti-doping measures.”
The UCI thanked the World Anti-Doping Agency for its assistance in the management of cases arising from the passport.
Meanwhile Pellizotti has said that he is almost certain to quit the sport over the decision. “I feel cheated, I do not know what else to say,” he told the Spanish site Ciclismoafondo. “I hoped the decision of CAS would be different, I was hoping to get back to racing. Instead I have to sit still and can not do anything. What can I say? Life goes on ... I'm disappointed in my sport and justice.”
He has been stripped of the top results of his career, dating back to May 2009. These include his stage win and third place overall in the Giro d’Italia, as well as the King of the Mountains and Combativity award at the Tour de France. He also faces a fine of €115,000 and the legal bill relating to his case before the Italian Olympic Committee CONI.
“This is a sport of cycling ... ruled by powerful leaders, with such force to sweep away those who try to turn against them,” he said. “Yes, I am a victim of the biological passport, but that does not mean it is not the right way. The passport works, but you have to use it differently. However I do not care, I do not know anything of cycling and I do not think I'll be back. I do not want to do it.”
Pellizotti is officially sidelined for two years from May 3rd 2010. Caucchioli’s ban runs until 18 June of this year.