Rafael Casero, one of the three members of the 3 Molinos Resort team who was prevented from starting the Vuelta Valenciana for health reasons, has blamed a discrepancy in measurements as the reason his haematocrit was too high. He, along with Alberto Benito (haematocrit) and Antonio Tauler (reticulocyte count too low) were suspended by the team for 15 days following the tests, which are considered suggestive of blood manipulation, but does not constitute proof.
According to Europa Press, the team carried out internal controls on the riders, both before and after the UCI tests, and found them to be up to 2.5 percent lower than the UCI results. "I still doubt those results and it's difficult to understand, because I have never had those haematocrit or haemoglobin levels," said Casero, who maintained that he is healthy enough to ride in the Vuelta a Murcia this week. "Right now, I am fit to compete...They are not letting me do my job."
