Call it a “Mongoose” drug test because the ”Cobra” was caught and taken down. Apparently, Ricardo Ricco is accused of having a form of EPO called CERA in his system. As reported by Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett… it’s a third generation EPO apparently taken in very low dosages. Click here for the article on CyclingNews.comdetailing Ricco’s arrest, reaction and even more interesting is an interview with a doping expert on CERA or Micera. Apparently, it’s a drug that just became commercially available this year.
Here’s a description I found on the Roche website:Normally, when the body senses a decrease in red blood cells or a decrease in oxygen, more erythropoietin (a protein produced by the kidneys) is created. This protein stimulates the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the bone marrow which raises the red blood cell count. When this natural mechanism is hindered (as in kidney disease patients), it is necessary to stimulate the receptors to produce red blood cells with agents such as CERA, which will be the first continuous erythropoietin receptor activator, which closely mimicks the body’s natural control of red blood cell production.
Did Ricco think he could just get away with this? Did he think there would not be a test that would detect this particular kind of drug in his system? This news comes after non-negative test results from two other cyclists… both tests showing EPO.
I’m glad they’re being caught. I’m glad the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD) is targeting certain riders in what are/were called random tests. It shows the system is working but it also shows there are still CHEATERS… CHEATERS SUCK! I have loved watching the Tour this year and I will continue to watch. I will celebrate the clean cyclists and continue my support for an awesome sport! How about you?
The countdown is on! I have until Noon today Friday (JULY 11th) to get donations before I ride the 24 Hours of Booty in Charlotte, NC on July 26th & 27th.
If you haven’t heard of the 24 Hours of Booty before, it is “The Official 24 Hour Cycling Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.”
Last year, my Mom and Dad were both diagnosed with cancer. So, I thought what a great way to help out.
I’m riding for my parents, other family, friends and the hundreds of thousands who have faced or will face the fight against cancer.
I want to send out a BIG THANK YOU to those of you who have already donated and for those who gave in the last 24 hours to get me closer to my goal. You’ve helped me get to $1,250.00… $1,550.00. I’m now in that final stretch trying to reach my individual fundraising goal of $2,000.00.
If you are interested in learning more and you would like to help out… I would be very grateful if you visit my personal 24 Hours of Booty donation page. You can read a brief description of my parents story and make an easy donation right there on my page by clicking on “Support Donald!”
Unfortunately, we’re hearing about this too much these days… especially many of us being so familiar with the Fat Cyclist and his wife Susan. We must continue this fight by pedaling, pushing for more congressional support, praying and whatever other means we can. Here’s to winning the fight and finding a cure. Thanks so much! Donald
On Friday, I bolted after the newscast so I could make it to The Spin Cycle’s 16th Annual Firecracker 4th of July Ride. Last year, I took part in the 100k and it turned out to be one of my best 62 mile rides. This year, I only had time to ride the 50k because I had to head out to the mountains to meet my family for July 4th celebrations there. So at the start, I found myself toward the front of the 1,000 or so cyclists. I was just behind the faster pack on the 100k. Then about 7 miles in, it was time to turn off for the 50k route. I looked around after a few minutes and I was all alone on the 50k course. But I was familiar with the rolling roads because it’s exactly where I do most of my training. I pushed it and averaged 20.5 mph. It was the first and probably only ride I will ever be the first cyclist in. The finish was at the Hibernian Pub. Sorry guys (especially Leslie), I didn’t have a cold pint because it was 9:30am… so I settled for a nice slice of watermelon.
It was a great ride and even better… it raises a lot of money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I talked with the owner of The Spin Cycle, Kevin Coggins, about the ride.
Check out the video (it actually ends at 1:15 but you can listen to more patriotic music if you want):
I just finished reading Johan Bruyneel’s book, “We Might As Well Win.”
My thoughts? I really liked it. Actually, I thought it was great. A quick read… and it’s full of pretty cool behind the scenes conversations. Bruyneel takes you back to his days as a professional cyclist, how he got started and how he became an 8 time Tour de France winning Team Director. As Phil Liggett says, “Johan Bruyneel could inspire a tortoise to sprint.” Robin Williams says, “…you have to lack a pulse not to be inspired.”
I say… buy it and add it to your collection of cycling books. I don’t want to go into too much detail but it felt like I was either in the team car or on the bike next to all the action while I was reading (and dreaming). Just as you anticipated those great attacks from Lance… you can’t wait to get to the next page. Johan Bruyneel is a smart man… and you gain from his insight not just on cycling but life as well. Have you already read it? What did you think?
Who’s the best stage racer going into the Tour? Alejandro Valverde is showing great form in the Dauphine’… especially with his smashing stage 3 ITT performance. Levi had a strong ride as well but finished 19 seconds behind Valverde. But thanks to the ASO… we all know Levi will be watching the Tour on TV, maybe even having a beer alongside Alberto. Then there’s the Aussie favorite Cadel Evans. With such strong finishes in past Tours… he’s determined to wear Yellow into Paris. VeloNews has talked about this year’s race being a “classic course with many unnowns.” Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme has said, “We want to create a race that is not predictable.”
I’m sure I’m leaving out some of your favorites or at least possible contenders. So, what are your thoughts on who’s got the legs to wear yellow?
Tonight… join cyclists worldwide in the Ride of Silence. It is a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.
Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. This ride is held every year during Bike Safety Month. You can link here to a US or International map and find organized Ride of Silence events in your area.
I wrote about my climbing in the Appalachian Mountains and The Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of posts back. It’s the same area around Banner Elk, NC where Lance Armstrong made his comeback from cancer ten years ago. He trained there rebuilding his body for the Tour de France. Good news is, I’m headed back to the area for some more climbing this weekend. I, of course, am in no way comparing my ability to that of Lance… AND… I hope I don’t run into any of the cyclists from Lees-McRae. Oh wait… there’s that name again I mentioned in the title of this post.
Lees-McRae is a small private school with a really GOOD cycling team. The good news is I won’t run into any of their cyclists this weekend because they will all be out of town at a big race. The Lees-McRae Bobcats are a Divsion 1 favorite going into this weekend’s Road Cycling National Championships in Fort Collins, Colorado. How much of a favorite? Judging by the large article about the team in USA TODAY… they should do pretty well. Allez Bobcats… Allez!
There’s a flap in England about an ingenious video called “Do the Test.” It was produced for Transport for London as a way to raise awareness of cyclists on the road. Nice idea, but it’s charged that the concept for the video was stolen. According to Carlton Reid at bikebiz.com, the idea was first filmed in 1999 by Prof. Daniel Simons of the University of Illinois and it’s sold as an instructional DVD by Viscog Productions of the U.S. Well, whatever — it’s a short and fun “test.” It seems to have nothing to do with cycling until the point about awareness is driven home. “Do the Test” has been on and off the internet because of the plagiarism accusation, but as this is written you can still watch below:
I’m sure most of you have heard about the ASO’s decision to ban Team Astana from the Tour. It came after the Giro banned the team from racing in their event as well. Many cycling news sites talk about the French decision being, no surprise, a popular one in France but everywhere else most believe it is an unfair decision. It’s a different team with many different riders. Other teams tarnished the Tour’s image last year with doping, yet they’re allowed in this year’s race. Levi Leipheimer is hoping to change their minds. He has started Let Levi Ride, a website to get signatures backing his effort. What do you think about the ASO decision and will you sign Levi’s petition?
Innocent until proven guilty… but come on! It’s so hard for me as a cyclist and an enthusiast of professional cycling to believe any of the reasons or excuses given these days for a positive drug test. This is so frustrating. Does anybody else find this frustrating? Here’s the latest from cycling news on Bjorn Leukemans:
Doctors deny Leukemans’ sex life responsible for test
In another attempt to explain his positive doping test for testosterone, Björn Leukemans has said that he was having sex when the doping controllers arrived to take his urine sample in an out-of-competition test shortly before the Worlds in September. However, anti-doping experts have laughed this explanation off. While not addressing the specific case, Wilhelm Schänzer of the anti-doping lab in Cologne, Germany, said, “If you ask whether sex has an influence on testosterone levels, I say: sex has nothing to do with synthetic testosterone.” Hans Cooman of the Vlaamse Gemeenschap [Flemish Community in Belgium], who took the sample from Leukemans, confirmed to Sportwereld that “The natural testosterone [level] may perhaps be higher [while having sex], but I do not see how sex can influence synthetic testosterone.”
This was the story the day before on cycling news. You’ll notice Leukmans’ first claim was that… “he naturally has higher testosterone values.” :
Björn Leukemans has continued to protest his innocence and denied having used testosterone, saying that he has naturally high testosterone values. Team Predictor-Lotto announced yesterday evening that it had suspended the 30 year-old after learning of the positive doping test. Predictor-LottoTeam manager Marc Sergeant defended his rider, telling the Flemish public broadcaster VRT that “We are always 200 percent against doping. We cannot deny these facts and must suspend Björn, even though he swears up and down that he has done nothing wrong. Björn told us that in the past he already showed too-high values once. He naturally has higher testosterone values than others, and he thinks that this is such a case.”
Call it a “Mongoose” drug test because the ”Cobra” was caught and taken down. Apparently, Ricardo Ricco is accused of having a form of EPO called CERA in his system. As reported by Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett… it’s a third generation EPO apparently taken in very low dosages. 
