Lithuanian fed’ recommends serious wrist slap for Rumsas
The Lithuanian cycling federation has recommended a six-month ban for former Lampre rider Raimondas Rumsas, who tested positive for EPO during the Giro d’Italia in May, the federation said Tuesday. The federation also proposed to fine the 31-year-old Lithuanian year 2000 Swiss francs (1300 Euros). The Lithuanian federation has not taken a final decision on Rumsas, and has instead consulted the International Cycling Federation (UCI) and sent it Rumsas' explanations for the postive test. If the UCI rejects the Lithuanian federation's proposal, Rumsas's domestic federation will be obliged to
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
By VeloNews Interactive, Copyright AFP2003
The Lithuanian cycling federation has recommended a six-month ban for former Lampre rider Raimondas Rumsas, who tested positive for EPO during the Giro d’Italia in May, the federation said Tuesday.
The federation also proposed to fine the 31-year-old Lithuanian year 2000 Swiss francs (1300 Euros).
The Lithuanian federation has not taken a final decision on Rumsas, and has instead consulted the International Cycling Federation (UCI) and sent it Rumsas’ explanations for the postive test.
If the UCI rejects the Lithuanian federation’s proposal, Rumsas’s domestic federation will be obliged to suspend him from cycling for at least one year.
Earlier the UCI recommended a four-year suspension or even a ban for life following this latest scandal, which followed last year’s controversy with Rumsas’ wife.
She was jailed in France after being caught with large quantities of growth hormones and other drugs in her car just after the Tour de France, where Rumsas finished third.
The rider himself tested negative during last year’s Tour de France.
Rumsas finished sixth in the year’s Tour of Italy and tested positive in the May 16, the day before the race’s first mountain finish.
He then demanded the second test, which also showed a positive result.
Rumsas has been a professional since 1996, but began to excel in 2001, with his career reaching its peak when he made the podium in the 2002 Tour.
Copyright AFP2003