Pantani backed over new drug claims

Pantani is battling against fresh drug claims

International cycling boss Hein Verbruggen has defended former Tour de France winner Marco Pantani against claims that he has given unsatisfactory findings in a drugs test.

Verbruggen, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), criticised the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), which has given contradictory indications about Pantani.

Verbruggen was adamant that the Italian rider had not failed a test.

He said: "Marco Pantani is perfectly within the regulations regarding these tests. I have had enough of cycling being constantly targeted by CONI. It's irresponsible."

Unofficial letter

Pantani, who will be competing in the road race in the Sydney Olympics, was said to have given unsatisfactory findings in two tests.

Initially, Pantani was said to have passed the tests, but the head of CONI's medical commission, Pasquale Bellotti, said he was not satisfied in an unofficial letter which was then reported by the Italian press.

"I just don't understand that," said Verbruggen who criticised both Bellotti and Sandro Donati, who is leading an anti-doping campaign in Italy.

Marco Pantani is perfectly within the regulations regarding these tests. I have had enough of cycling being constantly targeted. It's irresponsible

  Hein Verbruggen
President, UCI

Pantani was in 1999 thrown out of the Tour of Italy on the penultimate day when a test showed he had a level of red blood cells superior to the permitted 50 percent threshold.

Technically the automatic 15-day suspension that follows such a positive test is to protect the athlete who runs an increased risk of a heart attack. But it is also taken as an indicator - although not proof - that a rider has taken banned substance EPO.