Wednesday Roundup

News
AP/FoxSports/MSN reports a claim by Fahey that WADA has a good HGH test just in time for the Beijing Olympics. How conveeenient. It's said to be good, and capable of standing up to litigation challenge -- we assume, at least under the WADA Code in the setting of arbitration. The timing of the announcement is no doubt for deterrence value, and we won't know how good the claims are until a case arises. We have advanced pity for the person with the first contested positive. It's blood plasma based, and Catlin continues to chase a urine test. The NFL and MLB will not accept blood draws. (Tip from 5-iron in a comment)

FoxSports/O'Connor seems to be letting Landis off the hook, thanks to Roger Clemens:

In the long history of sports stars gone bad, only Pete Rose was this drop-dead dumb in defense of his legacy and name.

Not even a mention of Floyd! The times, they are a changin'

The CyclingNews reports on the continuing dispute between the UCI and the ASO with International Association of Professional Cycling Teams (AIGCP) president Eric Boyer looking for some consensus among AIGCP members. At this time Boyer indicates teams once again may side with the ASO forcing the UCI into the uncomfortable choice of sanctioning teams which participate in ASO events, or backing down on its threats. In further escalation of hostilities, the ASO has placed the AFLD in charge of doping control at Paris-Nice which the UCI says will make the race merely a private competition with no international status whatsoever:

No longer, it seems, is the agency simply viewing itself in the role of a UCI contractor, implementing doping controls deemed appropriate by cycling's international governing body. Speaking before Monday's announcement by the UCI which denounced the "insubordination of ASO and it allies," AFLD president Pierre Bordry said. "The first thing we had to consider was our strategy. The UCI's approach seemed too systematic to us. They test only the stage winners and the overall race leader. To avoid being tested it is sufficient to simply finish down the field. There needs to be more random testing.

"Under French law the AFLD can test nails, hair and even skin samples and Bordry has said that it may be necessary for his organisation to undertake testing outside of France in the run-up to the Tour, if indeed they are charged with running the Grand Tour's anti-doping programme. However, the possibility that the AFLD will take on such a role also throws into question the future of the biological passport programme instigated by the UCI.

There are also further developments in the trial of Bjorn Leukemans. And in more CyclingNews it looks like the relationship between Michael Ball and Mario Cipollini may be on the rocks. Also The Association of Professional Cyclists (CPA) reminds the participants in the ASO/UCI dustup that the needs of the "exhausted" riders should come first. That will be the day.

The VeloNews says it's a done deal. The Pro Teams have voted against the UCI and will go to Paris-Nice, or anywhere else they darn well please apparently.

More VeloNews writes that in the wake of rumored doping scandals and the exclusion from the ToC of three of its riders, Rock Racing is developing its own internal anti-doping program. No details were provided at this time. Attorney Maurice Suh is vetting anti-doping consultants to oversee the program's implementation.

And CONI has advised a two year ban of Danilo DiLuca for "abnormal hormone readings" which may indicate, but not prove, use of PEDs.

ESPN reports WADA is appealing the LaTasha Jenkins case to the CAS:

"We just appealed against the Jenkins decision," (David) Howman said. "She was exonerated on grounds that, once we looked at it, we considered not sustainable

Landis and Suh were around the Rock Racing bus at Stage 7 of the ToC. Floyd is under the 'C', and Maurice has the tail of the 'G' going into his head. (Photo: Rock Racing)

Blogs
Rant writes about those pesky rules which to some extent support each side in the UCI/ASO throwdown.

WADAwatch looks back at the 2001 Tour de France and ahead to today's media symposium with WADA head John Fahey. Ww has his questions prepared, and we await the answers.

It appears that Fatty needs an intervention after all. Mrs. TBV enjoyed the comments as well. I only have three bikes of my own, swear, average age 17 years. Plus her three, plus the five for the four kids...