Confessions are good for the soul. Leonardo Piepoli confessed to using CERA during the 2008 Tour de France. He becomes the third of the Scandalous Five to do so. "I committed an error, and it is right that I pay. In a difficult moment, I followed the advice of someone who evidently did not want the best for me," Piepoli said in a brief press statement. "The principal responsibility remains with me, and it is right that I pay," concluded the climber from Pugliese. CONI has recommended a two year suspension for the former team-mate of Riccardo Riccò. — Source, Tuttobiciweb.it.
Meanwhile in Spain, El Pais reports that Moises Dueñas has confessed his use of CERA to Spanish judicial authorities. Spain recently passed a law criminalizing sports doping, and Dueñas is currently under investigation in connection with his positive test at the 2008 Tour de France. No word yet on what, if any penalties, Dueñas might receive. — Source, Tuttobiciweb.it.
In other doping news, the mystery of Volodymyr Bileka's disappearance from racing is now solved. Bileka left his team, Silence-Lotto, before the 2008 Giro d'Italia, citing personal reasons. It turns out that the "personal reasons" included a positive doping control. Bileka tested positive in April for EPO. Bileka is a long-time friend and room-mate of Jaroslav Popovych, who also rode for Silence-Lotto this past season. It's been a rough year for room-mates (Piepoli-Riccò, Kohl-Schumacher), but Popovych has never failed a control. Though his name appeared on a list in the wallet of Dr. Fuentes, no further evidence ever surfaced linking the Ukrainian to the Spanish doping doc. Bileka faces a two year suspension. Popovych will ride for Astana this season, after Bruyneel's team bought him out of his contract with Silence-Lotto. No word yet on what, if anything, Silence-Lotto knew about the Bileka case. — Source, Radsport-news.com.
American cyclocrosser Jonathan Page may miss the upcoming World Championship race in Holland. Page received notice on 19 December that he had missed a doping control at the Koksijde World Cup in November. Page crashed out of the race after two laps, breaking his bike. In the confusion, neither Page nor his wife checked the list of those called for doping control. The officials did not notify Page directly that he needed to report to doping control. Explained Page, who rides for Planet Bike, "I’m not a doper. I just didn’t remember to check. It’s my fault I know but I could be facing a pretty stiff penalty for that. I’ve done everything I can now and it’s up to the USADA people to decide if they believe me or not. I’m hoping…" The missed test could result in a two year suspension for the American, whose website includes the motto, "Work Hard. Ride Clean." — Source, Cyclocross Magazine.