Filippo Pozzato, winner of the 2006 Milano-Sanremo and 2007 Omloop Het Volk, reacted to the decision by the UCI to require all ProTour riders to sign an anti-doping agreement prior to the Tour de France. The vice president of the Association of Italian professional riders (ACCPI) noted that the riders would decide in the coming days on how to react.
"Is it something fair or passes on a level below? The importance is yet one more time the UCI is taking us for a ride. Our opinion, the actors in their play, does not count for anything," said 'Pippo,' who refused to mince his words, to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "We will decide what position to take."
This morning, the ACCPI released a news latter titled ACCPI vs. UCI. It stated, "Unclear words, unilateral decisions, criminalization of the riders: Association of Italian riders, with the CPA [Association of Professional Cyclists], say no to the International Cycling Union [UCI]."
Francesco Moser, head of the CPA, noted his association's agreement. "It is a proposal that goes against all rights," he said yesterday.
Lampre-Fondital Team Manager Giuseppe Saronni explained that he would talk to his riders and the legal experts. "Good words but first we need to talk with the riders and lawyers, to understand if this document is permissible. It adds confusion to confusion," summarized Saronni.
The UCI request states that the riders must agree to pay a year's salary if they are found to have used illegal doping products. "Is it a move to protect our sport or to put money in the chest? The thing that is unbelievable is that the riders are left in the open, considered criminals; why not propose that they where electronic bracelets?"
