January 18, 2007 – Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d’Epargne), who finished second at the 2006 Tour de France, apparently tested positive then for a banned substance, reports the French daily, Le Monde in its Friday edition. After Floyd Landis (formerly with Phonak) tested positive for testosterone doping immediately following his victory in the 2006 TdF, the 29-year-old Pereiro began claiming that the 2006 yellow jersey was rightfully his. But in recent weeks, Pereiro has been strangely quiet. This recent dispute also seems to pit the UCI against the French anti-doping agency (AFLD).

Urine samples taken from Pereiro on July 17 and July 19 (14th and 16th stages) both showed traces of salbutamol, a medication generally used to treat asthma. The UCI, however, granted Pereiro a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the use of salbutamol. While a total of twelve cyclists were issued TUEs by the UCI during the 2006 TdF, the AFLD insists on ensuring that there is a medical justification for each TUE issued.

The AFLD is concerned that the TUE forms could be used to hide cases of doping and has sent three registered letters to Pereiro asking for an explanation of his use of this drug. To date, there has been no response from the Spaniard and AFLD president Pierre Bordry will decide on January 25 to decide whether to start proceedings against Pereiro and six other cyclists who are in a similar situation. Five other cyclists issued with TUEs have provided information to the AFLD that it considers sufficient to close their files.

The AFLD has also tried, in vain, to have the UCI explain on what grounds it granted Pereiro a TUE. While the AFLD only has jurisdiction in France, it can prevent cyclists from participating in the TdF.

Meanwhile, an AFP report quotes Francis Lafargue, a spokesman for Caisse d’Epargne, as saying that the AFLD would receive “all the documents required (concerning Pereiro)” by the end of the week.