UCI rider hotline is a ‘s**t Idea’, Frankie Andreu
The UCI’s latest step to clean the sport of cycling by introducing a rider’s helpline has been mocked by the former professional cyclist, Frankie Andreu.
The firm faced a lot of criticism after the actors behind the sport’s biggest doping drama were revealed by USADA.
Several riders from the previous American side, Team US Postal used systematic doping for years after years to enhance their performance and went unnoticed for many years.
Cycling governing body, UCI is now taking necessary measures to ensure that such an incident do not recur in sport.
However, the former American cyclist who rode for Team US Postal with Lance Armstrong through 1998-2000 noted that UCI’s step of introducing the rider hotline is flawed because of the decisions taken by its management in the past years.
The 46-year-old himself admit to doping in an article published by New York Times in 2006 and was ridiculed by the UCI President Pat Mc Quaid at that time.
Commenting after the launch of the UCI hotline, Andreu stated, "I think it's a s**t idea. It's something they're putting out there but I don't know who thought of it”.
“Who is going call up because unless you're talking about yourself then you're just raising suspicion on other people”.
“It's not like the UCI have a police force that are going to investigate all these tips".
Showing the lack of faith in the UCI authorities, the American stated that, the governing body has not even bothered to contact those involved in the USADA investigations to see if the reports were true at the first place, or if it is missing some information.
“When Tyler came out with all of his stuff, when Floyd came out with all of his stuff, they just ripped them apart. They didn't investigate it or look into it. They didn't even contact me," he added.
“I think you can trust them [USADA]. I don't think you can trust the UCI,” he concluded.
Similarly, when Floyd Landis confessed to doping in 2010 and named several other riders, Team Garmin announced publically that it would fully co-operate any official investigation related to doping.
However, Team Boss Jonathan Vaughters confirmed to Cyclingnews that UCI has not discussed anything with any one on his side, even after several doping confessions from within the team.
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