None of the procyclists out there where hugely happy with the leaking of UCI's dopelist, but some are even angrier than others. The riders represented by Paul De Geyter's Celio Sport & Image are even going to sue the UCI. They'll be doing this in cooperation with an Italian cycling manager, Alex Carrera.
What are they after? Restoration of honour (no idea what the correct english legal term is for this), and financial compensation. "Take Carlos Barredo for instance. He has never tested positive. In 2010 he only got tested four times before the Tour de France, not enough to draw any conclusions from. It gets even weirder when you know that this year, Barredo hasn't been tested at all, and he's apparently the biggest enemy of the state of UCI. That shows they're not being serious about their doping policy", says De Geyter on Sporza.
De Geyter also wants more transparency from the UCI. "None of the riders know why they're a 1 or a 10 on that list. It's a random quotation which reeks of deliberate damage", he says. "Carlos (Barredo) rides for Rabobank this season, a team with a very strict doping policy. What if they draw conclusions from this list? Even cyclists like Tom Boonen, who aren't on the list, will help pull this case. They too know that maybe next time, it's their turn. With this system you're a 7 today and a 0 in six months time. And both thimes there's no reason for it."
Celio Sport & Image clients (amongst others)
Niels Albert (Bel)
Carlos Barredo (Spa)
Tom Boonen (Bel)
Gerald Ciolek (Dui)
Stijn Devolder (Bel)
Tyler Farrar (USA)
Karsten Kroon (Ned)
Levi Leipheimer (USA)
Robbie McEwen (Aus)
Michael Rogers (Aus)
Gert Steegmans (Bel)
Greg Van Avermaet (Bel).