The Armstrong furore moves to Australia

Newspapers around the world have reeled off article after article on the one of the world's, if not not the greatest, sporting fraud after the USADA released its dossier of evidence that it used to disqualify Lance Armstrong for doping violations.

It was not long until an Australian cyclist would be implicated in this messy affair. Matt White rode with Armstrong at the US Postal for several years. Cycling Australia reacted swiftly by issuing a media release after it was reveal that Matt White was identified as a drug user in the USADA Report.  Cycling Australia President, Mr Klaus Mueller called for more resources for drug testing and time to analyse the details raised in the Report. "Until we've had a chance to do that it's impossible to say whether any Cycling Australia members are implicated", Mueller said. 

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White was not the only Australian cyclist named. American rider, who currently riders for Omega Pharma Quick-Step, Levi Leipheimer raised in his affidavit that Michael Rogers one of several cyclists who attended training camps in 2005 at Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, with Dr Michele Ferrari.  It has been widely reported that Rogers had a short relationship with Ferrari between 2005 and 2006. Rogers indicated to Rupert Guinness either this week that linking with Ferrari was a mistake and it may have ''tainted'' his reputation. Rogers said in 2006: ''I rated him because I think he is the best coach in the world. He has made some mistakes, and I think he has learnt from them. But with me, he never mentioned anything of that [drugs]. It was just hard work and training. I have nothing to hide.''  Rogers severed his relationship on the advice from his German team - T-Mobile.

Image replicated from The Age.

Ferrari is a disgraced Italian cycling coach who has had a long association with dubious training practices.  In October 2004, Michele Ferrari was sentenced to one year prison (suspended) and a fine of 900 euros, for sporting fraud and abusive exercise of the profession of Pharmacy. He was later absolved of all charges on appeal in 2006. However, his time was up in July 2012 when the US Anti-Doping Authority issued Ferrari a lifetime sports ban for numerous anti-doping violations including possession, trafficking, administration and assisting doping.  Ferrari was banned by the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) on the back of rider testimony relating to his activities and in February 2002, the body announced that it would hand down suspensions of up to six months to riders who were found to have consulted with him. Earlier this year, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) banned Pozzato for collaborating with Ferrari.


Rogers has lived and worked in Italy for many years. He should have known that the FCI did not want Italian riders being associated with Ferrari. 

Leipheimer's affidavit does not accuse Rogers of used drugs. It only reveals that Rogers was present at the training camp. Given the association with Ferrari during 2005 and 2006, it would not be unusual for Rogers to be present at European training camps where all Ferrari athletes were present.  However, it will not stop people jumping to conclusions about Rogers given the furore that has abrupted this week.

 

I am sure that Cycling Australia will be looking at USADA 'reasoned decision' very closely.  However, given the mounting evidence questioning the practices of Ferrari dating back to 2002, Rogers could have saved himself a lot of grief by never associated himself with Ferrari, even if he was the best coach at the time.  

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.