[ire]

What a disappointment. Even if he took something by accident he's going to have to serve a suspension.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/12/news/zirbel-a-sample-positive-for-dhea_102111

Zirbel: ‘A’ sample positive for DHEA
by VeloNews.com
December 28, 2009
By Brian Holcombe

Tom Zirbel, who finished second to Dave Zabriskie for the second consecutive year at the USA Cycling Professional Individual Time Trial Championships in August, confirmed Sunday that his “A” sample from that race tested positive for exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
DHEA is the multi-functional steroid for which Tyler Hamilton tested positive in February 2009. Hamilton confirmed that he had tested positive for the substance, saying it was in an herbal remedy he used to treat depression, and retired from cycling.
Zirbel, however, proclaimed his innocence.
“The U.S. pro TT was a major objective of mine this season, but I would never compromise my integrity for any bike race,” Zirbel said.
“At this point, I don’t know how this happened, but regardless of the outcome of my ‘B’ sample, I intend to find out with the help of a few accomplished scientists and doctors who have selflessly helped me since I first was notified of the ‘A’ findings.”
Should his B sample also be positive, Zirbel faces a two-year racing ban.
Zirbel, who won the National Racing Calendar individual title in 2009, is a time-trial specialist who scored wins in the discipline at the Cascade Cycling Classic, Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, Nature Valley Grand Prix and Tour of Utah.
He made his European debut in September, finishing fourth in the individual time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, after taking an early lead and sitting in the “hot seat” for nearly three hours.
Earlier this year, Zirbel signed a contract to join Zabriskie at Garmin-Transitions in 2010. But he was not listed on the final UCI roster submitted by the team and released last week. He has not joined the Boulder-based team, and Garmin-Transitions has yet to release an official statement on his “A” positive or his contract.

 

[Heidi]

Lights out. Next

 

[James]

Too bad, I was looking forward to seeing what he could do. I liked him on Bissell, and was stoked to see him on Garmin.
And now it's allllll gone...sucks.

 

[Cant Climb]

Lights out. Next

Blood doping kits found at Astana - report

PARIS (AFP) - Blood doping kits were discovered in a search of medical equipment belonging to Lance Armstrong's former Astana team during this year's Tour de France.

Blood transfusion is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The find, which was first reported by French newspaper Le Monde, was confirmed on Wednesday to AFP by a source close to a French judicial investigation.

The source stressed that the initial inquiry by a Paris magistrates' court was continuing and that it was premature to suggest the equipment might constitute illegal activity.

The court in Paris opened its inquiry in July after the discovery during the Tour de France won by Armstrong's teammate Alberto Contador of medical equipment such as "syringes and perfusions".

The source added: "No trace of any doping product has for the time being been uncovered by the analysis of this material" belonging to Astana.

According to Le Monde antihypertensives (drugs that reduce high blood pressure) were also found at Astana during the search.

These drugs are not banned but can be used to treat hypertension associated with the practise of blood transfusions or the administering of the banned blood booster EPO.

Analysis of other products and equipment taken by investigators is continuing, the source said, adding that tests had indicated "seven different genetic profiles".

Identification of these profiles can only be made if and when the International Cycling Union hands over riders' blood profiles to French justice.

While Contador will race for Astana next year Armstrong, who claimed third behind the Spaniard in the Tour de France, has left to form his own team, RadioShack.

 

[maddog17]

Le Monde hot on the trail of LA as usual. that paper has a real grudge against him

 

[ire]

Le Monde hot on the trail of LA as usual. that paper has a real grudge against him

I like that they mentioned Contador as being the teammate of Armstrong instead of just saying that Contador won the Tour

 

[maddog17]

guilt by association

 

[ire]

and the B sample is positive. I truly hope it was an accident and he only serves a short suspension.

 

[DRB]

Maybe he was hitting Ricco's girlfriend.

 

[CBJ]

I try to stay positive every day

 

[maddog17]

Maybe he was hitting Ricco's girlfriend.

must spread rep.

 

[ire]

I try to stay positive every day

So does Hamilton

 

[Westy]

From everything I hear DHEA is useless as a performance enhancer, why is it on the banned list? I know it is very similar to other banned steroid like substances but it sounds like they can tell the difference these days and it is just an artifact on the banned list. Can they tell the difference or is there something else these guys could be taking that looks like DHEA?

 

[ire]

From everything I hear DHEA is useless as a performance enhancer, why is it on the banned list? I know it is very similar to other banned steroid like substances but it sounds like they can tell the difference these days and it is just an artifact on the banned list. Can they tell the difference or is there something else these guys could be taking that looks like DHEA?

Even though it doesn't enhance performance, its still a steroid....I think that's why WADA has it on the banned list.

 

[4xBoy]

Le Monde hot on the trail of LA as usual. that paper has a real grudge against him

A coke head claiming everyone else is using drugs.