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[Ian A4size]

24.06
The next scandal ? Bizarre values in blood and urine with 4 topriders of the GIRO d'Italia.
With 4 topriders of the GIRO d'Italia 2007 "abnormal low values" were found in the blood and urine tests after stage 17, with the finish on the top of the Monto Zoncolan. It concerns Danilo Di Luca (Ita) = Liquigas and Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) =Astana, who both are also named in the doping case "Oil for Drugs" from 2004; and Gilberto Simoni (Ita) and Riccardo Ricco(Ita) both form Saunier Duval.
The analyses showed - so-called - anomalies, too LOW values of the normal bodies hormones.
'Too negative, never the values were so low", was the reaction of several endocrinologists, who were carrying out the tests. "This looks like the results of children before their adolescence, but certainly not of those of cyclists with a body in full maturity"
The President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), Gianni Petrucci, has asked for a very urgent meeting with UCI chairman Pat McQuaid and wrote a letter to the WADA (World Anti Doping Association) too.
CONI wants to compare the values with those which are in the possesion of the UCI, based on the regular 3 monthly tests.
It could well be a pure coincidence or a (new) development in the pathology was one of the hypotheses of CONI, but another one was the possibility that these riders have used "masking products", in order to mislead the usual control of the UCI. This is mentioned in the Italian newspaper 'Corriere dello Sport' (tuttobiciweb / HNB)