January 19, 2007 – The 2006 Tour de France runner-up, Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d’Epargne) has admitted to taking a banned substance during that event, but claims that this was for medical purposes and that he had duly obtained permission from the UCI, reports Reuters. He called the current dispute a “massive misunderstanding,” when speaking to Radio Marca. He went on to explain that he uses salbutamol to combat allergies and when fighting a cold. The 29-year-old Spanish cyclist continued that: “It has been approved by the doctor and the UCI and I am permitted to use it whenever I need to.”

An AFP report quotes Pereiro as saying: “I was authorized to take up to 1,000 nanograms of salbutomol (per mml of blood) and my result was 159,” pointing out that the limit for a cyclist without a TUE would be 150 nanograms.

The French anti-doping agency (AFLD) does not dispute that Pereiro had a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the use of salbutamol, but is requesting an explanation of the medical reasons for its use by the cyclist. Six other cyclists will similarly have to explain their use of banned substances, providing justification for their TUEs at a hearing on January 25. Because the 2006 TdF winner, Floyd Landis (formerly with Phonak) tested positive for testosterone and might be stripped of his title, Pereiro could soon be declared the winner.

Salbutamol, also known by its trade name “Ventolin” in North America, is a fast-acting bronchodilator. It is commonly used to combat acute asthma attacks and is protective against exercise-induced asthma. Some reports indicate that illicit use of salbutamol, by dilating the bronchial passages, could allow a cyclist to take more oxygen into the bloodstream.