Saiz arrested on doping charges

[brazland]

This is big, Manolo Saiz has been affested in Spain on doping charges, along with four others. What does this mean about the future of Liberty Seguros? If found guilty of course. I do not want to pre judge someone here.

[Dial_tone]

Dude has been a DS since Jesus died. This has huge implications. I hate to see a DS mixed up in that, especially him after he went on about Heras "deceiving everyone". If you're gonna dope do it and keep your mouth shut but if you get involved while talking ill of others involved in the same thing you deserve the absolute worst...hypocrites.

[brazland]

I wonder how much Heras had to do with the information leading to Saiz's arrest?
As much as it pains me to say the UCI has to get serious about this for the health of the riders and the future of this sport.
I remember in 1999 Phil Liggot saying whilst commentating that, that years Tour was clean. In the next breath he mentions that the average speed of the Tour was higher that year. No drugs and these guys go faster, why take them then?
Until teams and media are prepared to expose this it will go on and every now and then one will get caught. But they have tainted the sport for good.

[fragolino]

INVESTIGAN POSIBLES 'LABORATORIOS CLANDESTINOS'
La Guardia Civil encuentra bolsas de sangre adulterada en un piso vinculado a Fuentes
Agencias.
La Guardia Civil se encuentra enfrascado en un proceso de investigación, en torno a una operación de dopaje que podría implicar a deportistas de élite del mundo del ciclismo y de otros deportes, a raíz de la trama desarticulada con la detención cinco personas, entre ellas el director deportivo del equipo ciclista Liberty Seguros, Manolo Saiz.

En uno de los apartamentos vinculados a Eufemiano Fuentes, la Guardia Civil se ha incautado de un millar de dosis de anabolizantes, esteroides y hormonas, además de un centenar de bolsas de sangre, productos para manipularla, máquinas para congelarla y material para hacer transfusiones.

Los agentes de la Unidad Central Operativa han desbaratado una red dedicada a la "autotransfusión", es decir, a la extracción de sangre en corredores profesionales para luego manipularla y volvérsela a inyectar en plena competición. A la sangre extraída, tras congelarse, se le aumentaba el nivel de hematocritos hasta el máximo permitido por la Unión Ciclista Internacional (UCI), el 50 por ciento, de forma que los controles antidopaje no detectaran nada anormal, pero el rendimiento del deportista creciera considerablemente.

it seems police has found hundreds bags of adulterated blood and thousands quantities of steroids, anabolics and ormonics in an apartment rented by doctor Fuentes. There are also machine to handle and to freez blood and to make blood transfusion, to improe the hematocrito's level .
This apartment seems to be a clandestin laboratory.

[TNT1]

Spanish cycling speaks out over Saiz

By Les Clarke

After his arrest and detention along with four companions, Manolo Saiz has been the hottest topic in Spanish cycling during the last 24 hours. Various figures involved in the administration of cycling in Spain have expressed their views on the situation, including Spanish Cycling Federation president Fulgencio Sánchez, Association of Professional Cyclists boss José Rodriguez, Kelme director Vicente Belda and Vuelta a España director Victor Cordero.

The Court of Instruction number 31 in Plaza Castille, in Madrid, is coordinating the operation in together with the Central Operating Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, which specialises in matters of drug trafficking. The investigation has been going on for several months, and has included phone taps.

Before the arrest of Saiz and four others, the UCO searched three residences in Madrid; two flats belonging to Eufemiano Fuentes and the clinic of José Merino Batres, plus another residence in San Lorenzo del Escorial belonging to mountain biker Alberto León. Another flat was investigated - that belonging to José Ignacio Labarta, the assistant sports director of Comunidad Valenciana, in Zaragoza.

As reported by Efe, in an apartment belonging to Fuentes, approximately a thousand doses of anabolic steroids and hormones were seized, along with one hundred packets of blood, products to manipulate it, machines to freeze it and material to perform transfusions.

The clinic of José Merino was allegedly used for the blood transfusions of cyclists, athletes and other sportsmen, and Fuentes has links to the centre in his capacity as former doctor for the Kelme team. This is because the clinic was mentioned in the investigation involving former Kelme rider Jesus Manzano; the allegations made in that case were subsequently dismissed, however.

Spanish sports newspaper Marca has seized upon these recent developments and established reader hotlines to air public opinion as to whether they believe Saiz innocent or guilty. Officials of the sport have made more reserved statements, however; most have stated they believe Saiz to be innocent until found guilty of being involved with doping activities.

Fulgencio Sánchez and the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) have stated they weren't involved in the detention of Saiz, adding that they have no established relations with those carrying out the investigation. "I'm remaining neutral [on the matter]," said Sánchez. "We don't want this sort of thing for the image of cycling, because this is what damages us. For what reason we deserve this, I don't know," he said.

José Rodriguez, as president of the Association of Professional Cyclists (ACP), said overnight that, "It's bad news for cycling," and added, "Although you expect to know the reach of the investigation, it's news that blurs a good season so far." He recognised the need for there to be full disclosure of the investigation's outcomes, but nevertheless a scandal such as this can only be harmful to the sport.

As race director of the Vuelta a España, Victor Cordero had to deal with the disqualification of one of Saiz's riders, Roberto Heras, due to doping, during last year's Vuelta, but maintains Saiz is innocent; he does recognise that these activities must be punished, however. "Whoever does this [doping] has to pay, but I trust in his [Saiz's] innocence until a judge says anything to the contrary," said Cordero. He added that, "This is a blow for cycling and it disappoints me both personally and professionally. Although at times I've had disagreements with [Saiz], I wouldn't wish this on anybody."

Communidad Valenciana boss Vicente Belda was not so diplomatic, and said that, "This is a stab in the back for cycling." Belda also said he believes that justice will prevail in the case, having dealt with similar allegations in the Jesus Manzano episode several years ago, adding that people who say, "Spain is a paradise of permissiveness" are wrong. He wished Saiz all the best "for the sake of cycling".

www.cyclingnews.com

[Dial_tone]

Originally Posted by brazland

I wonder how much Heras had to do with the information leading to Saiz's arrest?
As much as it pains me to say the UCI has to get serious about this for the health of the riders and the future of this sport.
I remember in 1999 Phil Liggot saying whilst commentating that, that years Tour was clean. In the next breath he mentions that the average speed of the Tour was higher that year. No drugs and these guys go faster, why take them then?
Until teams and media are prepared to expose this it will go on and every now and then one will get caught. But they have tainted the sport for good.

The speeds are up in large part to the stages being shorter. In the last 10 years or so the three grand tours combined have been shortened by about 1,000 miles. No, I don't think the sport is clean but with the steep Pro Tour penalties I can't imagine there being that many guys taking the risk. A guaranteed contract termination and 4-year ban? That's harsh.

[brazland]

Point taken Dial Tone, but the people I have spoken with over the years that have been involved with cycling will tell you how dirty the sport is. Some of these guys have raced in Europe and they talk of a culture of drugs.

[TNT1]

Originally Posted by brazland

Point taken Dial Tone, but the people I have spoken with over the years that have been involved with cycling will tell you how dirty the sport is. Some of these guys have raced in Europe and they talk of a culture of drugs.

I'll put my hand up and support that statement as a rider who has raced in Europe and experienced "a culture of drugs."
I stand behind Dr Conconi's sataement made in the late 90's that the sport is still being played on a level playing field, as all the top riders (maybe all the riders) are using. The fact that the playing field is artificial shouldn't be the issue. Rather the riders health should be the issue.

This statement carries some wieght, as the initial UCI blood tests were carried out as "health checks". Maybe the UCI should review this policy, and not try to penalise riders, but rather recognise that the problem wont go away, and should then rather work with teams and doctors to ensure riders safety.
Drugs and cycling have always gone hand in hand, since the beginning of the sport, and the UCI should take a more holistic approach.
My personal feeling is that the same problem exists in all sports, but for some reason cycling gets the bad rep.

[brazland]

Dial Tone I agree Italy's Seria A Soccer code has been linked to EPO and in one of the articles about Saiz I'm sure they mention Spain's soocer leauge as well.
Your right it is the Health of the rider that should be paramount. We have all read the articles that claim some teams have to set the alarm clocks to go off every four hours so the cyclists don't pass away in their sleep, as a result of EPO.

[TNT1]

Saiz released

Liberty Seguros team manager Manolo Saiz has been released on Wednesday, following questioning by the Spanish Civil Guard in matters related to doping. However, four others, including former Kelme doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, remain detained pending police questioning.

According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, Saiz was arrested in Madrid yesterday with a briefcase containing €60,000. In addition to Saiz, Eufemiano Fuentes and José Luis Merino Bartres, who was allegedly carrying a bag containing doping substances, including anabolics, were arrested. The newspaper reported that investigators suspect that Saiz was on his way to meeting Fuentes and Merino to close a deal.

Two others, professional mountain biker Alberto León, and Comunidad Valenciana assistant director José Ignacio Labarta, were also arrested. Police searched the flats and lab of Fuentes and Merino, and doping substances and material for transfusing blood was found in Fuentes' two flats, which were not lived in and appeared to be specially set up for administering transfusions.

The arrests were carried out in the framework of an anti-doping investigation headed by the Court of Instruction number 31 in Plaza Castille, Madrid, and the Central Operating Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, which specialises in matters of drug trafficking. Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported that Saiz was released because police considered him a "client" of the doping network, and presented a "weak escape risk."

www.cyclingnews.com

[Dial_tone]

All these guys without a team in the middle of the Giro. Who will grab Vinkourov before the Tour?


Liberty Seguros terminate contract

By Anthony Tan in Gemona Del Friuli, Italy, with additional reporting from Hernan Alvarez


In the wake of Manolo Saiz's recent detention for his alleged involvement in a blood doping program, Spanish news agency EFE has just released a newsflash, announcing primary sponsor Liberty Seguros have chosen to cancel their cycling sponsorship from the Liberty Seguros-Würth team, effective immediately. The team's press officer, Jacinto Vidarte, confirmed the annoucement with Cyclingnews.

Saiz as well as four other people were arrested by the Spanish civil guard as part of an anti-doping operation called "Operacion Puerto", where he was reported to be carrying 60.000 Euros in UE currency and Swiss francs. No doubt, a clause exists in Liberty Seguros' contract with Active Bay SL, the team's holding company, enabling the former to annul their sponsorship contract if a serious doping situation arises.

"As sponsor, Liberty Seguros has always wanted fair play and a zero tolerance culture to prevail in doping matters," said a statement from the sponsor.

"On November 2005, as a consequence of a rider being banned [referring to Roberto Heras-ed.] because of doping, we reinforced the clauses in order to get one of the strictest sponsorship contracts in terms of anti-doping. The implications as a result of Manolo Saiz's arrest are of great concern. They harm our name and cycling's name," said the announcement.

"Operacion Puerto" began on May 23. It not only affects Manolo Saiz, who was released yesterday by the civil guard but also team doctors Eufemiano Fuentes and Jose Luis Merino Batres, Ignacio Labarta from Comunidad Valenciana and ex-mountain bike rider Alberto Leon. According to an EFE report, the guard found hormones, anabolic steroids and packets of blood and material to perform blood transfusions.

The guard allegedly found a list with 200 Spanish and non-Spanish riders names linked to doping practices.

How this will affect the six riders currently racing the Giro d'Italia or the immediate future of the team is not yet known.

[TNT1]

Originally Posted by Dial_tone

All these guys without a team in the middle of the Giro. Who will grab Vinkourov before the Tour?

We were talking about this during our training ride this morning. While I'm sure plenty of teams like the idea of Vino, this is atarting to sound a lot like the "Festina Affair", and if systematic doping has been a part of the Liberty Seguros programme, most will not want to touch him for fear he gets tested positive.

[TNT1]

The UCI responds to the Spanish affair

The UCI, the world governing body for cycling, issued a statement on Thursday in response to the Spanish doping affair and the withdrawal of Liberty Seguros as a sponsor, which will cost cycling millions of euros.

The UCI was very sad to learn that individuals from the world of cycling are involved in the investigation by the Spanish judicial authorities concerning alleged doping practices.

However, this investigation is not a complete surprise for UCI, as UCI had more than once expressed its concerns about supposed blood doping practices in Spain to the Spanish government and to WADA and asked for their help in view of UCI’s limited investigative possibilities .

How painful this case might possibly turn out to be for cycling, the UCI welcomes and supports any effective action aimed at eradicating doping.

Where possible, UCI will give full assistance to the investigation of the Spanish authorities.

On the other hand it has to be underlined that no conclusions may be drawn before the investigation is completed and those involved have exercised their right to defend themselves.

Finally, concerning the announcement that was made today by Liberty Seguros, UCI takes note of the decision of this sponsor, which is a great loss to the world of cycling.

www.cyclingnews.com

[brazland]

Have just been to the Liberty Seguros web site and they mention nothing of this.

As a side note forget Vino what about poor Allan Davis the Australian sprinter for Liberty Seguros what the hell happens to him? As with festina any rider worth their weight will get picked up and all will be forgoten. If they do not test positive they are clean are they not?

[TNT1]

Originally Posted by brazland

... If they do not test positive they are clean are they not?

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to believe that?

I have no doubt the quality riders will be scooped up, but this will surely put a dent in their tour preparation...
Bet Vino wishes he had taken Bruyneels offer last year.

[Dial_tone]

Originally Posted by TNT1

We were talking about this during our training ride this morning. While I'm sure plenty of teams like the idea of Vino, this is atarting to sound a lot like the "Festina Affair", and if systematic doping has been a part of the Liberty Seguros programme, most will not want to touch him for fear he gets tested positive.

I think an important difference here is that Vino is new to the team. He's only raced for Liberty a couple of times. He may have been the new team leader but I doubt he was really "on the inside" yet. It still just boggles my mind that a team director would let himself get mixed up in drugs. Turning a blind eye? yes but direct involvement...beyond stupid. As long as he's been in the sport and a) he was never a pro himself and b) he's never had a rider win the Tour so he's a wannabe anyway. I've never liked him even when my main man Jalabert was riding for Once.

[TNT1]

Originally Posted by Dial_tone

I think an important difference here is that Vino is new to the team. He's only raced for Liberty a couple of times. He may have been the new team leader but I doubt he was really "on the inside" yet. It still just boggles my mind that a team director would let himself get mixed up in drugs. Turning a blind eye? yes but direct involvement...beyond stupid. As long as he's been in the sport and a) he was never a pro himself and b) he's never had a rider win the Tour so he's a wannabe anyway. I've never liked him even when my main man Jalabert was riding for Once.

I agree with you, but maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel for Vino:

Edited by Jeff Jones, with assistance from Susan Westemeyer

Despite the withdrawal of its main sponsor, the team formerly known as Liberty Seguros-Würth will continue racing until the end of this season, with Manolo Saiz still involved, the Spanish press reports. Saiz was arrested earlier this week on doping charges as part of an anti-doping operation carried out by the Spanish civil guard. However, he was released after questioning, as police considered him merely a 'client' of the doping ring, and not one of the ringleaders. Four others, including former cycling team doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, remain in custody.

After his release, Saiz, together with his associate Pablo Antón, who co-own the team's management company Active Bay SL, indicated that the team will continue until at least the end of the season with Würth as the sole sponsor. However, the available funds will be dramatically reduced, as Liberty Seguros contributed approximately 70% of the €10 million/year budget. The team currently employs 52 people, including 29 riders.

"I haven't planned to stop the team," said Antón to Europa Press. The team's press officer Jacinto Vidarte confirmed to Sportwereld.be, "The future of the team is assured until the end of the season, at least, even if Liberty disappears from the jerseys."

Team rider Koen de Kort commented in his Giro d'Italia diary, "What is exactly going on now, I don't know; we are actually getting very little information here. What I do know as that the team will continue. I have my contract with a company called Active Bay and not with the sponsor itself. What happens to myself and all of us here now, we have to wait and see."

Manolo Saiz' continuing involvement with the team will likely depend on how the case unfolds. Saiz will be required to appear before the investigating judge at some stage in the near future. If he is formally implicated in this doping affair, then the Spanish cycling federation could start proceedings against him, which could result in a two year suspension, as well as the revocation of his ProTour licence. That of course will have implications for the team's racing program for the rest of the year, including its participation in the Tour de France.

www.cyclingnews.com

[TNT1]

Fuentes says it was old blood

Eufemiano Fuentes, a doctor who has worked with the Kelme team, among others, retired from cycling at the start of 2005 in order to spend more time with his family. He has since taken up practicing as a gynaecologist. He was one of the doctors named in the Jesus Manzano case, as one of those overseeing Kelme's alleged doping program. Fuentes denied this and gave evidence in the Manzano case to that effect.

In the current investigation the UCO is claimed to have substantial evidence implicating Fuentes and José Luis Merino Batres, who is in charge of a blood transfusion laboratory in Madrid. The UCO is reportedly in possession of four months worth of telephone, photographic, and video evidence showing athletes entering and leaving Fuentes' flats in Madrid, from which approximately a thousand doses of anabolic steroids and hormones were seized, along with two hundred packets of blood, products to manipulate it, machines to freeze it and material to perform transfusions.

Fuentes has denied that he was involved in doping athletes, and according to El Pais, his explanation for the products found in his flat was, "It is blood for private analysis; dirty blood, to throw away, and the majority of the medicines, the growth hormones and everything else, are old and worthless." He was silent when asked about the telephone, photographic and video evidence.

www.cyclingnews.com

[Dial_tone]

Oscar Sevila is the first to admit he's in the pictures; says he just went for training advice.

[Brock Samson]

As the Spanish police investigation into doping in cycling has unfolded, the UCI has remained largely quiet. UCI President Pat McQuaid and ProTour manager Alain Rumpf broke their silence in Milan on the final day of the 2006 Giro d'Italia. Airing their concern over the events in Spain, two of cycling's head honchos were keen to inform the press of their hope to resolve the problems for the good of the sport. But both say they are officially still in the dark about what's happening and therefore unable to take action. Anthony Tan asks: If not now, when?

A few hours before the conclusion of the final stage of the Giro d'Italia, UCI president Pat McQuaid told the press that cycling's governing body lacks the necessary evidence to sanction any of the five people involved in the anti-doping investigation performed by the Unidad Centro Operativo in Madrid, codenamed 'Operacion Puerto'.

"I have to say for myself, as president of the UCI, the UCI board of management, and the UCI itself, I am saddened by the events coming out of Spain, and I'm also very angry about what we hear coming out of Spain," McQuaid said.

"At this point in time, although I have had contact with the Minister of Sport's office in Madrid, we don't know any more than what most of you already know. We only know the media reports; we have been told that information will be coming to us in the coming days and weeks, and we will be following up contact with the authorities in Spain for that information."

Stated McQuaid: "We have no definite information or proof of information that would enable us to make any particular decisions as of today."