Cycling: In an interview with the Neue Züricher Zeitung, UCI President David Lappartient commented on the Froome doping case, among other things, and promised a verdict by the start of the Giro in May. He would also like to initiate a new discussion on the subject of racing radio.
After the announcement of Christopher Froome's positive doping test during the Vuelta last year, prevailed for few days of great excitement in the cycling world. In the meantime it had become almost eerily quiet about the matter - with the start of the season in Australia but now the pressure is increasing on Froome, on his Team Sky and also on the UCI to draw conclusions from the matter. Recently, some drivers have also been critical of the apparent inactivity of the UCI, including for example Romain Bardet. Cookson's successor David Lappartient now spoke to the Neue Züricher Zeitung on the subject.
The UCI President explains that it takes so long to reach a verdict in the Froome case by saying that on the one hand you want to protect Froome's rights, but on the other hand you also want to use the (financial) clout of the Brit and his team, which obviously has several commissioned experts to come up with a medical explanation. “Froome is not a driver like any other. He has more money. He can get more experts to speak up on his behalf." so Lappartient surprisingly open to the NZZ.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman in the executive chair of the world association emphasizes that Froome would by no means receive "special treatment". He hopes for a speedy clarification, if possible before the start of the Giro d'Italia on May 4th. Furthermore, Lappartient announces a "technology offensive" against possible engine doping. The already established test methods will be further developed and X-ray devices and thermal imaging cameras will probably also be used in the future.
The new UCI boss also has a clear opinion on the subject of racing radio: "I am categorically against communication via earplugs in cycling," was his clear statement in the interview. He would like to start a discussion about this soon - but whether the status quo will change this season remains to be seen.