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Spanish Doping Scandal: Two Riders, Two Tactics

By Jessica | Permalink | No Comments | June 5th, 2006 | Trackback

Kazakh champion Alexandre Vinokourov, of the newly named Astana-Würth team, says he’s confident in his team manager, Manolo Saiz, who is embroiled in Operacion Puerto (so named by the Spanish police, though I have yet to find out why). In an interview with French paper L’Equipe, he said:

“I have read the newspapers just like everyone else, but I have also heard Saiz’ version. He has assured me that he has nothing to do with the affair and I believe him. I’ve always believed him, from the moment that I started riding with him. He admitted that his visit to Fuentes was unfortunate, but has not given up the fight. I believe Saiz.”

It also turns out Vino had a hand in landing the new sponsor: “Because the prime minister of Kazakhstan is also the president of the cycling federation, we quickly found a solution.”

What a handy guy to have around. Now I just hope, for his sake, that he gets to ride the Tour.

Contrast this with Team Phonak’s Santiago Botero, who, in the wake of being sidelined by his team after his name was connected to the doctor at the heart of Operacion Puerto, has said he’s not going to race for the rest of the season. He says he’s not thinking of retirement, only that he’s lost morale for cycling at the moment. In an interview with Columbia’s El Tiempo newspaper he also admitted that he did have links to the infamous Dr. Fuentes:

“I explained to [Phonak] that Ignacio Labarta did my training program. I have no reason to hide that. I was with [Fuentes] for eight years. I arrived at Kelme at the age of 21, like a boy, and the first thing that I discovered was that it was a team of people, of experienced riders and doctors, Fuentes and Ignacio Labarta. Since 1995, the did all my programs, prepared the calendar, effort tests, and everything that has to do with the preparation of a sportsman that has nothing to do with giving steroids, anabolics or anything that they found on them.”

Botero also said, “If I win, then I’m doped. If I lose, it’s the same, then I don’t have any way out.” While I understand how he’d feel that way, I also can’t help but think this throwing-up-the-hands attitude isn’t gonna do him any favors, either.

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