Pat McQuaid confirms suspects of passport programme (Image credit: Mia Sullivan)
The wave of doping cases in cycling may not be over. UCI president Pat McQuaid confirmed that "some" cyclists are being investigated under the results of the biological passport. More recently this month, UCI anti-doping commission head Anne Gripper had already revealed that the UCI is currently examining suspect profiles that could lead to the opening of a disciplinary procedure.
Speaking at an anti-doping conference in Berlin, McQuaid said that, "Based on conspicuous results from the newly-introduced blood profiles, there will be some positive cases," according to German press agencies. He indicated that the irregularities lead to the assumption that forbidden substances or methods were used. He did not say which riders may be involved, or how many it might be. UCI attorneys are still looking into the matter.
McQuaid further criticised plans by the German public television broadcasters ARD and ZDF to stop their live transmissions of the Tour de France. "That is the wrong message. It is not right and also not helpful to either the organisers or the German cycling fans."
