Problems looming for Padrnos?

[Bruce K]

Velonews is reporting that Padrnos and another rider are part of the doping investigation that has already caused the ejection of 2 riders from the Tour.

So far the potential ejection of Padrnos and the other rider is being blocked by the UCI.

How big a blow would this be to Lance in his chase of #6? I know every rider is important in the team's strategy but just how key is Padrnos to USPS' plans?

BK

[TmcDet]

cyclingnews is reporting that USPS team is saying it is a non issue and that he will stay in the tour

[BumbleBeeDave]

I see no difference between these two riders and the two that have already been ejected. Can someone fill me in on the EXACT difference between them? What makes these two DIFFERENT--and therefore worthy of staying in the race--compared to the two that have already been ejected?

BBDave

[alembical]

To answer your question, I cant tell you the difference, but from Cyclingnews:

US Postal Service-Berry Floor team media manager Jogi Muller informed Cyclingnews this morning that Pavel Padrnos will not be excluded from the 2004 Tour de France, despite ongoing speculation that he would be. His case has been reviewed by the Tour organisers and the UCI, and although the Tour de France felt that he should leave, the UCI didn't agree, and both parties had to agree in order to exclude him.

Padrnos' attorney has a letter from the Italian investigators that has absolved him of any wrongdoing in terms of possession of illegal substances after the blitz of San Remo in the 2001 Giro d'Italia. Trace elements of mannitol were found in his L-carnitine amino acid supplements, but mannitol is no longer on the banned list, according to Muller. Although the investigation is still open, the Italian police have closed their file on Padrnos. An October 27 hearing in front of the judge in San Remo is reportedly merely a procedural matter which will take the case off the books.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2004/jul04/jul16news4

I dont think that Padrnos should be booted, but I dont think the others should have either.

Alembical