Urine EPO tests unreliable?

Cyclingnews.com investigates the validity of the urine EPO test in this linked article. This past year has seen a rash of positive tests for EPO and other enhancing drugs. But it has also seen several of those results reversed with a negative "B" sample or the results thrown out all together. As was the case with a Tri-athlete that was able to determine he was indeed clean and the test was wrong.

To make sure the sport isn't turned upside down we need to be getting these tests correct and with greater probability assurance. It's also not fair if these tests are wrongly accusing a cyclist of being a cheat. With the world taking notice of the drug problems in cycling, a riders career, finances and reputation can be ruin with one false result. On the flip side, the better the test and the more accurate the results, the greater the opportunity to nail those that are guilty.

Bettini destroys the field at the Championship of Zurich

A rain soaked Paolo Bettini soloed the last 40km and put almost 3 mins into the group he left to win this years Championship of Zurich. It was a brutal display of power and strength and a bit of revenge for the poor results from the week before at the Worlds in Spain. The Italian team was the focus of debate after the Worlds road race as they seemed to be working against each other and not in lock step for their sprinter "Ale-Jet". Bettini at least, was able to make up for his own gambles the week before.

Boonen ends season with a Rainbow Jersey

Tom Boonen lasted the longest of all the favorite sprinters and finished with a flurry. The 273km road race was brutal because of it's distance and especially the pace on the last 2 laps. No American made the top ten, but our only hope was a Fred Rodriguez sprint and he missed the split on the final climb. Congrats to Tom for a great year.