After hearing Team Astana representative Dmitriy Fofonov’s arguments, the Board of directors of MPCC has decided to exclude Team Astana for non-compliance with the 9th article of the internal regulation. The team let one of its riders take the start of the Tour de France with a cortisol level under the MPCC volontary norm.
Although cortisol hormones are an allowed medicine when prescribed by a physician, the use of that medicine has frequently been abused in the history of sports (including in cycling) for the purpose of increasing the performance. Besides, a low level of cortisol can potentially endanger the health of athletes in certain circumstances when he/she is in competition while the athletes perform under high intensity or under stress.
For both reasons and with the objective to contribute to restoring the credibility of cycling, MPCC and its member teams have introduced that voluntary norm below which its riders will temporarily withdraw from competition.
In another case, the movement also heard Team Androni Giocattoli manager Gianni Savio’s arguments about the three doping cases found in his team during the last 24 months, including two this year. One of these riders has been dismissed while the other one is suspended pending counter-analysis results. The team abided to the 10th article of the internal regulation and self-suspended for a month with knowledge of the third case. MPCC notes Androni Giocattoli’s compliance with the voluntary rules governing the movement and supports the team members’ choice to sue those riders.
Regarding image and credibily of cycling, MPCC approves the firm attitude of the UCI which has been strict in the application of its rules by excluding Vincenzo Nibali and his sporting director from the Vuelta. It is important that the jury has all the necessary information in the event of a comeback into the peloton after a crash or a flat tyre. To his end continuous-time video arbitration is seen by the movement as a necessity.
The Board of directors also mentioned the coming general meeting which will be held on 19 October in the presence of the 106 members of the movement.