dope control chaperone arrested in dope ring sting in Spain

[find_bruce]

Cycling news reports that José Luis Martínez was one of four people arrested by police in relation to a doping ring that had been both producing and distributing products including plasma, clenbuterol, testosterone and anabolic steroids.

While cycling news focussed on Martinez being a former pro rider, what blew me away was

The investigation started when police were tipped off about Martínez’s activities at the Vuelta a España, where he worked as a dope control chaperone for the past two years. The role required him to accompany riders selected for drug testing from the moment they finished racing until they had presented themselves at the control point for drug testing. Witnesses informed police that Martínez had been acting suspiciously.

What the ?? Who appoints a rider, implicated in operation peurto for blood doping, as a chaperone ?

It is not clear to me whether he was appointed by the UCI or someone else (WADA, unipublic, spanish cycling federation are some possibilities). There needs to be an investigation as to whether his appointment was the result of incompetance or corruption.

[jules21]

bruce, as tyler hamilton wrote in his book, you could tape a syringe to your forehead in spain and not attract any attention. doping is almost openly tolerated.

spain is a popular base for pro cyclists

[scirocco]

Doping wasn't even illegal in Spain until about 2006 I think it was.

[jules21]

Doping wasn't even illegal in Spain until about 2006 I think it was.

i don't think it's illegal in australia in 2013 (?)

[find_bruce]

bruce, as tyler hamilton wrote in his book, you could tape a syringe to your forehead in spain and not attract any attention. doping is almost openly tolerated.

spain is a popular base for pro cyclists

Thanks but for me the whole dead twin story forever killed Hamilton's credibility, although I do like the irony that liestrong is now in the same position that he used to attack Hamilton & Landis.

I like to think that my vierws are based on the evidence, and from what I have seen Spain isn't any worse than other countries regarding pro cycling - yes there have been far too many dopers, but the same can be said for Italy, Germany, the USA, & I could go on & on & on, but I will resist for now.

[brentono]

I like to think that my vierws are based on the evidence, and from what I have seen Spain isn't any worse than other countries regarding pro cycling - yes there have been far too many dopers, but the same can be said for Italy, Germany, the USA, & I could go on & on & on, but I will resist for now.

So True, and with the whole LA affair
(in which Organisations, Officials, Managers, Doctors etc. are all "probably" involved)
the USA would have to rethink their whole doping-control record from Atlanta 1996 to the present day.

[Howzat]

To change the topic entirely, how does Alberto Contador look for the maillot jaune in this year's Tour de France?

[g-boaf]

To change the topic entirely, how does Alberto Contador look for the maillot jaune in this year's Tour de France?

Quite good I think. Rogers on the team too. Interesting.

[Alex Simmons/RST]

I like to think that my vierws are based on the evidence, and from what I have seen Spain isn't any worse than other countries regarding pro cycling - yes there have been far too many dopers, but the same can be said for Italy, Germany, the USA, & I could go on & on & on, but I will resist for now.

So True, and with the whole LA affair
(in which Organisations, Officials, Managers, Doctors etc. are all "probably" involved)
the USA would have to rethink their whole doping-control record from Atlanta 1996 to the present day.

USAC coaches were blood doping their team pursuiters for Los Angeles 1984.

[jules21]

USAC coaches were blood doping their team pursuiters for Los Angeles 1984.

it was allowed back then though, i think

[biker jk]

The Spanish do have an ingrained doping culture and the cycling Federation a history of being soft on dopers and cover ups. Alberto Contador was a client of Dr Fuentes but this was covered up (meanwhile a whole bunch of riders with a Fuentes relationship were banned from riding the TDF in 2006). Contador's initials were in a document about doping plans found in by the Spanish police. Some good information in the link below.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=19806

[brentono]

USAC coaches were blood doping their team pursuiters for Los Angeles 1984.

it was allowed back then though, i think

Blood Doping was banned by IOC in 1985.
First Blood testing at the Olympics was 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer
The handling of the sampling and contracting for testing at Atlanta 1996
was on record as a joke (+for Team USA)
(Olympics Atlanta 1996, 10,500 Athletes competed, State-of-the-art Lab,
observed-rampant drug use, 2 positives )
Cheers

[Alex Simmons/RST]

USAC coaches were blood doping their team pursuiters for Los Angeles 1984.

it was allowed back then though, i think

Blood Doping was banned by IOC in 1985.

Yes it wasn't against the rules, although it was certainly strongly discouraged, and against the Olympic charter they did it anyway. I'm amazed IOC took so long to ban it, since a runner at the 1980 Moscow games did the same.

I would consider the non-medical infusion of blood for sporting performance to be unethical in any case, but that's a personal viewpoint.

[brentono]

Alex
I would totally agree non-medical infusion of blood for sporting performance to be unethical.
Also it has shown to be possibly dangerous to your health.
I came through an era of Cycling where any types of P.E. drugs were simple, and direct.
The possibilities were amphetamine-like drugs, which as, even the average punter in the street
knows, can be dangerous, and addiction can follow.
Usage was quite rare, and usually only in extreme cases.
You were pretty well looking down the barrel of a gun, and a short career.
I had never used anything, got to a level, and then came to a crossroad in my career.
I chose not to use any drugs. I chose not to cycle race any more at the same time.
Today, what is happening, in Cycling, it all seems so crazy.

[toolonglegs]

Spain, 55% of under 25's unemployed... desperate times, drugs will not be going away anytime soon.

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Today, what is happening, in Cycling, it all seems so crazy.

Yeah, it's a hard choice.

Two young emerging pros I work with, both abandoned the sport at end of last year due to the doping and poor/corrupt management screwing them over - affecting each in different ways. They have high ethical standards and will keep their head high in life, but their opportunity to progress is forever damaged by a doping tolerant culture. As a coach it's pretty depressing.

[brentono]

Alex
So True, and for me as a sprinter, I even rode clean, which is those days, of many rough-house
riders, was unusual. It was only because of my speed/concentrated acceleration (work with pacer)
that I avoided much trouble. Then there was poor/corrupt management/officials/organisers
you came up against as the level of competition rose.
As mainly a Sprinter, the type of doping in my day, was not that beneficial or relevant.
Maybe only Steroids, were relevant to Track, and they were crude (dangerous), and not so common.

TLL desperate times, was Belgium in the 70's, where even Double shift workers took uppers to work.
Some of them, bike riders, also, who thought it was natural. Had some good 6-Dayers there say,
that for many, in the Circuit, they had to, to keep going with the hard schedule.
So many, in Europe today, may feel the same way. So I would agree... it will still go on.
But with those types of things, it's a short road to hell, for many, was not a nice thing to see.

I did a lot of hard work for my meagre results in Cycling. But at least it was all clean.

Cheers

[foo on patrol]

I did a lot of hard work for my meagre results in Cycling. But at least it was all clean.
Cheers

And you can hold your head high as well Brentono.

I was also clean but it is the same in my line of work to, the number of blokes that were shocked that I was not taking anything and doing the same hours as them, left them dumb founded.

Foo

[brentono]

Thanks for the 'big-up" Gary, and I 'm not trying for sainthood.
I had been around, and just made the decision at the time.
Basically it was sensible, and not that hard in those days.
As you would know and have seen back in our day,
smack was everywhere, many died, and from my observation
and experience, decided I wouldn't stick a pick in my arm, either.
As a trucker, you will enjoy and understand this one.
Had a mate who did west-east-west non-stop back in the day.
I asked how he did it, and he pulled out a tobacco tin with
every coloured pill under the sun. Then went thru the list,
pink as you pull out of Perth, green thru the hills, whitey at
Kalgoorlie, and so on... then said he locked on $1.20-$1.40
Went on to say, gotta get the order and number right, and
he told of others who didn't and who took out trees, cars,
others and 'selves when they miss-calculated.
There's always the consequences.
Today the financial and social gain by doping, pressures the weak.
Back in our time I think there was less pressure, less options.
Least those are my thoughts.
Cheers