Nairo Quintana He’s still in the middle of the hurricane and as the days go by, more and more problems are emerging, more signs preventing him from keeping a team for the 2023 season.
The Boyacá cyclist could not get rid of the trouble he had after being disqualified from the past. Tour de France, because tramadol, which is prohibited in competition, was found in two of his analyzes. International Cycling Union (UCI), but not on the list World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so it is not considered positive.
(Dani Alves: unreleased disco videos endanger her for possible sexual abuse)
(Piqué: Shakira’s reaction after the witch question she hung on her balcony)
However, violating a rule of the world’s cycling governing body, Quintana stands against the wall. January is about to end, the season opens and the team cannot find it.
And every day another ‘stone in the shoe’ falls, which doesn’t help him stick his head out and focus on his training and competition.
Reliable Cycling Movement (MPCC) is another headache for him. It is an association whose purpose is specifically to defend the goal of clean cycling, based on the concepts of transparency, responsibility and the mobilization of its members. It also condemns substances such as corticosteroids, tramadol, stillnox and technological fraud.
It was launched on July 24, 2007 by seven teams: AG2R Prévoyance, Agritubel, Bouygues Telecom, Cofidis, Crédit Agricole, Française des jeux and Gerolsteiner and was officially created on September 28, 2007.
The organization today has nine World Tour affiliate members in the world’s highest cycling category, 15 Proteam from line two, and 13 Continental affiliates.
Roger Legeay, then director of the Crédit Agricole team, president of the MPCC and EL TIEMPO talked to him about the Quintana issue.
What do you think about what happened with Nairo?
He tested positive for tramadol twice during the Tour de France, and the International Cycling Union (UCI) only applied its generally accepted regulations.
What context does the decision have?
Tramadol is dangerous to health and enhances performance, and in 2012 MPCC team doctors asked the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to add it to the list of banned products. Our doctors have agreed not to prescribe tramadol at competitions.
What came next?
Between 2019 and 2020, the UCI enacted a regulation banning tramadol from competitions in an effort to protect the health of athletes. In 2022, the AMA included tramadol on the list of banned products on the grounds that it is a doping product and harmful to health. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) has definitively affirmed the UCI’s sanctions against Nairo and its analysis results and procedures.
Can an MPCC team hire you?
The movement works with the will of the teams and adheres to a very strict philosophy. For example, MPCC member Arkea pulled Nairo from the Tour of Spain and did not renew his contract.
Surely you can’t belong to any team in that group?
To date, no member has been interested in hiring an agent. Now, it never hurts to say that teams are not obligated to hire riders, that’s decided by squad managers, of course, not us.
Have you told your teams not to trust Nairo?
Internal regulations are not flexible and are made to be enforced, and members voluntarily comply with these principles.
If Tramadol is not on the AMA list, don’t you think it’s a heavy penalty?
It is included in UCI bans and WADA has put it on the list of anti-doping products since 1 January 2024. The penalty for this crime in the future will be two to four years, and that says it all.
(Egan Bernal: the doctors who saved his life describe the miracle, video)
Don’t you think it’s misleading that tramadol is not on the WADA list and is approved by the UCI?
No confusion. The rules are known to everyone and their application is very clear.
What do you think about Nairo being approved by the UCI and able to compete?
These are the legal norms that have been set and, I repeat, accepted by all.
How can Nairo fight in a team?
It is the team leaders’ decision to hire the cyclist or not.
With all that… Is Nairo Quintana destined to retire?
Responsibilities should not be denied, it was Nairo Quintana who did not meet international standards and was therefore convicted by the UCI and sanctioned by the TAS.
What do you think about Miguel Ángel López’s situation in Spain?
It is also the decision of the coach of his team who decided to dismiss the runner and terminate his contract.
What references do you have in the fight against doping in Colombia?
As in all countries, leaders have a responsibility to enforce the rules and do everything possible to achieve zero tolerance. This is a collective responsibility that requires a strong commitment from all parties.
(Sam Bennett, first leader of the Vuelta a San Juan) (Dani Alves: That’s the severe punishment he can pay in Spain)
Lisandro Renkfo
Editor of EL TIEMPO
@lisandroabel
Source: Exame
