| Next up is Garzelli. A major doping scandal preceded Saturday's Giro stage. A doping test of four cyclists at once showed the presence of the substance NESP, which is classified as a drug that masks the use of erythro- and darbopoietin. Among those caught were the Russian Faata Zakirov and the Italian Stefano Garzelli, who was leading in the overall standings at that time.
As stated by representatives of the doping commission, samples of Zakirov and his two Panaria teammates, Italians Nicola Cesini and Filipo Perfetto, were taken on the eve of the Giro prologue. Sanctions followed immediately - all riders were disqualified, and Chesini is currently under arrest. Garzelli's fate is not yet entirely clear. At least until tomorrow, when the B sample data arrives from Lausanne, the Mapei leader is allowed to participate in the race. The racer himself was literally crushed by the news of doping. At an urgently convened press conference, the winner of the 2000 Giro said the following words. “My conscience is clear! I have been preparing thoroughly for this race all year. I’m not an idiot to finish a race on which my career and, in many ways, my life depends, like that!”
As for participation in the Giro, according to Garzelli, he was thinking about leaving the competition, but the team convinced him that he had to go. The leader was supported by his compatriot and teammate Paolo Bettini. “We are very angry, but we intend to move on,” he said, reminding observers of the events of last year, when a search of a hotel and the disqualification of several riders (including the leader Dario Frigo) led to a riders' strike that lasted a whole day. However, many also remembered the words of Marco Pantani. “Pirate,” who has long been fighting off attacks from doctors and is under threat of a two-year disqualification, said a week ago: “Several years ago, “Mapei” itself claimed that at every big race the leaders certainly dope. Now the leader rides on their team.”
However, Garzelli has already parted with the pink jersey. This happened after a large group of cyclists left the gap on a fairly “simple” stage from Cuneo to Vaazze, and the peleton did not have enough strength to catch them on a long climb near the finish. As a result, the stage was won by veteran Giovanni Lombardi, and the overall standings were headed by German Jens Heppner. Konstantin BOYTSOV |
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