Monday 19 November 2012

Vinnicombe Makes New Claims


Controversial Australian former cyclist Martin Vinnicombe claims a current high-level figure in the sport once helped him with an injection.

Vinnicombe has spoken about the crisis that continues to rock cycling following Lance Armstrong's lifetime ban.

Vinnicombe, a 1988 Olympic silver medallist, tested positive to steroids in 1991, but made a successful legal challenge against the case.

"There are still people existing in cycling at the moment, in powerful positions, (who) at one point in their careers were exposed to doping and knew about doping methods," Vinnicombe told the ABC's 730 Report.

The ABC said the anonymous man that Vinnicombe specifically referred to is now "a senior Australian cycling figure".

It was known you'd have a sudden drop in blood pressure, therefore you needed someone there to assist you," Vinnicombe said.

"At that time ... was a person I trusted and thought he would assist me and he did so.

"He was present in the room."

While Vinnicombe said he sometimes did not know what he was taking, he added: "I don't think it was water".

Olympic cycling gold medallist Dean Woods said he competed clean throughout his career, but added some Australian cyclists should be nervous about their pasts.

"I would think if anyone was involved in road cycling from the late `90s right up until say 2005-06, certainly there are probably a few nervous guys around," Woods said.

"If they're implicated, they should be held accountable."

The federal government has announced an independent inquiry into Cycling Australia and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency are also looking into the sport.

"Today cycling above all else needs the truth," noted Australian anti-doping expert Michael Ashenden said.

"It needs accountability, for the people in charge of cycling to make sure that what they say is what they do.

"Every cyclist who comes forward and tells the truth is going to help us to get to that position."

Former Australian road professionals Matt White and Stephen Hodge have lost high-level roles in the sport after admitted they doped during their racing careers.



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