Paolini out of the Tour de France and facing possible end of career due to a positive test for cocaine

FOUGERES, France (CT) – Months after taking one of the biggest victories in his career, Gent-Wevelgem, Luca Paolini is facing a very uncertain future after the UCI announced that he has tested positive for cocaine.

The in competition test was taken on July 7 at the Tour de France. He finished 172nd into Cambrai on that day, making his sample a random control.

According to the UCI, his sample contained the cocaine metabolite Benzoylecgonine and he has been provisionally suspended as a result. He has the right to both request and attend a B sample test. Paolini has denied knowingly taking the substance.

His Katusha team has commented on the matter but has been guarded in its response.

“In application of the team policy the rider has been immediately withdrawn from the Tour de France,” it stated, although his suspension by the UCI meant that continuing in the race would have been impossible.

“Bearing in mind the anti doping regulations, the team will wait until the analysis of the B sample has been conducted before taking any further action or making any further comment. Team Katusha is fully determined to collaborate with the anti-doping agencies in order to resolve the matter.”

He rode the Giro d’Italia, finishing sixth on a stage, but didn’t compete between that race and the Tour.

Paolini is 38 years of age and turned professional with Mapei in 2002. He has raced with the Quick Step, Liquigas, Acqua & Sapone and Katusha teams and his wins include stages in the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, as well as one day triumphs in the Giro del Piemonte, Brabantse Pijl and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Although he is close to 40 years of age, his Gent-Wevelgem victory this spring means that his career is still at a high level.

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But his cortisol levels were fine
Dave

Ironic that this news came on the first day of the event where the news was not dominated by the other sort of white line fever.
Ebruner

So he likes to party? :)
- Jessica Milligan
  
  Working half-time I Look at the draft which said $19958@ms3
  
  bh……
  http://www.GlobalCareersDevelopersMoney/board/hop...
Sean

Its a shame cycling doesn’t have the dodgy strikes system like footy.
- Robert Merkel
  
  Doesn’t apply in this case. Cocaine is banned in competition as a performance-enhancing stimulant. A footy player who tested positive for coke on match day would face the same ban as a cyclist.
  
  There’s a long and dishonorable history of cocaine use as a performance-enhancing drug in cycling: see this story from on a former pro who dealt “pot Belge”:
  
  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/20/sports/20iht-bike.2013026.html?_r=0
- Dave
  
  Indeed.
  
  The AFL’s recreational drugs policy of a ban on the third strike would definitely be an improvement on cycling’s policy of “go for it” that saw Tom Boonen get away with nothing more than a couple of embarrassing headlines.
  - InTheKnow
    
    Yes. Also, cocaine (specifically Benzoylecgonine) acts as a masking agent for anabolic steroids, I forget which one. Let’s see, 38 years old and having one of his best seasons to date - steroids being masked vs partying before/during the Tour …
    - Matt DeMaere
      
      Not sure a banned substance with an impractically long half-life and effective urine and blood tests would make for a useful masking agent.
      
      If in the end, it is revealed that he tested positive for amphetamines as well, it suggests he was using it recreationally. There are also anti-pain muscle rubs which contain this metabolite as the active agent, but that would be a incredibly dopey mistake.
Derek Maher

Thats a shame.Will miss him in the Peloton.
Dave

So, who is looking forward to the Armstrong program before tonight’s Tour stage?
- Derek Maher
  
  Might take a gander at Lance’s story Dave,
  I suppose he has not been accused of taking the blood from young virgins yet.Its all a bit Bram Stoker.
  Of course a lot of people are looking to grab a piece of Lance’s cash reserves.
Derek Maher

I guess the Headline on the media reports should not have used the term cocaine for Luca,s test.It showed Benzoylecgonine which might have been linked to cocaine use or a number of other chemical reactions.Seems odd that the drug testers did not run through a series of tests before the cocaine story was thrown out to the public.Now if you drink the South American brand of coca cola it is flavoured with coca leaves.Might be interesting to test a person after drinking a couple of cans or bottles of that brew.Luca and his team had better do some research to fight his case.