January 17, 2008 — Michael Rasmussen, Michael Boogerd, and Denis Menchov have all denied being clients of a Vienna laboratory which reputedly performed blood doping reports AFP. Rasmussen and Boogerd are former Rabobank team members while Menchov is a current member of the team. The Humanplasma Laboratory was specifically named by former World Anti-Doping Agency President, Dick Pound, in a letter written to Austrian authorities in November, 2007. According to news reports on the German television chain, ARD, these three cyclists and other top level athletes have been coming to the lab. The German Ski Federation (DSV) indicated Wednesday in a press release that it has no information linking any cross-country skiers or biathletes to the Vienna laboratory. Read the full report here. For ther reports in French click here and here.

Schumacher in Hot Water over Amphetamines
Gerolsteiner team manager, Michael Holczer, told reporters on Tuesday that he doesn’t know what to say regarding Stefan Schumacher’s alleged use of amphetamines reports AFP. Shortly after he finished third in the road world cycling championships in Stuttgart last September, Schumacher was involved in a minor car accident and police claim he then tested positive for alcohol and amphetamines””the latter being on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of a banned substances. Holczer indicated that Schumacher – who denies knowingly taking amphetamines – might be suspended. Full report here.

Italians Investigate Contador, Valverde
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) prosecutor, Ettore Torri claims to have come across new elements in the Puerto Affair reported AFP on Monday. He wants Dr Eufemiano Fuentes and Spanish cyclists to testify regarding the doping scandal in Spain in 2006. Alberto Contador (Astana) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) are the most notable Spanish cyclists under suspicion. Italian legislation permits authorities to hear doctors and cyclists not licensed in Italy. Italian cyclist, Ivan Basso, is already under a cycling ban related to Puerto. While the CONI only has jurisdiction in Italy, it could bar cyclists from racing in the Giro, the 2008 Tour de France – which passes through Italy – and the 2008 world championships in Varese. More on this story here and here.