UCI’s McQuaid bans entire country of Spain for doping.

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UCI’s McQuaid bans entire country of Spain for doping.

Spain banned.

Fed up with the endless number of Spanish riders suspended for doping, UCI president Patrick McQuaid went on the offensive.

Instead of simply banning specific riders, McQuaid took the bold, unilateral approach of sanctioning the entire country.

“I’m fed up, I’m frustrated, I’m done, Spain is out,” said McQuaid. The two year ban applies to all Spanish riders, the Spanish cycling Federation and Spanish cycling clubs.

“They don’t take their own doping laws seriously, there’s no enforcement, it’s easier to get EPO in Spain than a glass of cava and tapas,” the Irishman went on to say. “It’s got to stop and I am stopping it.”

In recent weeks several high profile Spanish riders have tested positive for banned substances. Vuelta a Espana runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera was popped for Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) while Tour de France winner Alberto Contador is under suspicion for blood doping after traces of clenbuterol and a plasticizer were found in his urine.

Officials at the Spanish Cycling Federation responded to the ban with calls for McQuaid’s resignation. “He cannot do this. It is absurd and illegal. Just because we are lax and turn a blind eye, you cannot ban an entire country,” said Sergio Caliente.

Besides Contador and Mosquera, Xacobeo Galicia’s David Garcia Dapena, Oscar Sevilla and top Spanish mountain biker Margarita Fullana have all recently failed drug tests.

“They think I’m joking but far from it. When the 2011 season starts, you can forget Spain. Screw ’em. I’m tempted to ban all the latin countries. I’m striking the whole lot off the start lists. Except for Oscar Freire who we’re getting a special license for — I trust him,” said McQuaid.

While experts debate the legality and ramifications of banning Spain, the UCI president pulled no punches. “As far as I’m concerned, the whole country failed a dope test: riders, team managers, doctors, pharmacists, even the steaks can’t pass a test. Yesterday, I was at a restaurant in Madrid and found a syringe in my paella. Enough already.”

By |2019-02-03T16:24:07-08:00October 2nd, 2010|Alberto Contador, Doping|11 Comments

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11 Comments

  1. Al October 2, 2010 at 4:56 pm - Reply

    One of your best yet.

    • walshworld October 3, 2010 at 2:27 am - Reply

      Thanks All, McQuaid is almost a guaranteed laugh.

  2. Ron October 2, 2010 at 6:03 pm - Reply

    This will make the Italians feel better!

    • walshworld October 3, 2010 at 2:23 am - Reply

      Ron, SPain simply had to go, you know that. They'll be back in two years, Matt

  3. dkcholo October 3, 2010 at 1:58 am - Reply

    McQuaid should ban himself. Not. Sarcasm. I can dream right?

    • walshworld October 3, 2010 at 2:24 am - Reply

      Dan, dream on. McQuaid isn't going anywhere but the nect cocktail party. He should ban himself. He's a hack, pure and simple. Matt

  4. drfrot October 3, 2010 at 2:19 am - Reply

    This is funny!!

    • walshworld October 3, 2010 at 2:22 am - Reply

      That's our aim, drfrot, funny and nothingbut funny. Thanks for checking in and keep laughing. Matt

  5. Joker October 5, 2010 at 2:55 am - Reply

    The UCI should let cyclists dope. They have been doing it for over 100 years. Cycling is to doping like god is to religious people. Only the atheists are free. There might be a few cyclists racing in the UCI events that don't dope. They just don't win that often. If doping were allowed, What would McQuaid do?

    • walshworld October 7, 2010 at 12:38 am - Reply

      McQuaid doesn't do anything. Personally, as a writer, I like having a dope story or two to get worked up about. It's a nice break from race writing, I just don't like it when doping becomes the only story. Matt

  6. […] UCI's McQuaid bans entire country of Spain for effect ping. | Twisted … […]

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