Cycling: The amateur racing scene has a new doping case: Oscar Tovar from Colombia helped with his victory at the Gran Fondo New York with synthetic testosterone. The third-placed lady was also positive.
Samples were collected by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) at the May 2015 competition. Since the athletes concerned had doubted the results and lodged an objection, the result only became public after the conclusion of the procedure. As a result, Tovar will be banned for two years by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). A lifelong ban applies to GFNY events, and those who test positive must also pay for the costs incurred.
The fight against doping is Race organizer Uli Fluhme a special concern. Born in Tübingen, he financed doping tests at his race in New York with 15.000 euros from his own pocket. Not all organizers show so much commitment in the fight against banned substances. But the strategy is also having an effect: as early as 2012, two participants tested positive and were banned for life, and word should slowly get around that the GFNY series is being taken seriously. Velomotion spoke to Fluhme about the recent cases.
Uli, after the positive doping test of the winner of the GFNY: Do anger and disappointment outweigh it or can you also feel satisfaction that your anti-doping measures are bearing fruit?
We are of course upset and hurt that a doper is tarnishing the reputation of our race and that we celebrated it on race day. On the other hand, it is undoubtedly more important to do everything we can to create fair conditions for our race. Doping tests are an integral part of this. Looking the other way and not testing is the worst thing a race organizer can do because it encourages the use of doping and cheating on the competition. Our goal is not to catch dopers, but to keep them away from our events. Unfortunately, this obviously also means that we catch someone every few years.
How do you think back to the 2015 race?
We can't go back in time to celebrate the real winner's podium, but we'll make sure that at least the right winners get their prizes. And we will continue to fight to create fair racing conditions through in-competition and off-competition testing, even if it means high costs.
What do you think goes through the mind of an amateur athlete when using banned substances to gain a competitive advantage?
The same as a professional athlete: ego. No amount of prize money in the world justifies the pain of a Tour de France. Top amateurs are often nothing more than less talented professionals. People live ironically and train hard.
And what message do you have for such participants?
Integrity is irreplaceable, but at the same time it is freely available to everyone. Dopers have just as little room at GFNY as people who take shortcuts.
What conclusions do you draw from the case and what is the future for GFNY (both the GFNY in New York and the World Series)?
As after the first two positive cases in 2012: we continue as before. We test and drive a clear line. This applies to the NYC race and, as far as possible, to all other GFNY races worldwide.
Thank you very much for the interview. Velomotion wishes you every success in the fight against doping!