December 6 date set for disciplinary action
"Is it so difficult to acquit an innocent person in cycling?" stated Giampaolo Caruso in an open letter sent out yesterday. The 27 year-old Italian faces a disciplinary hearing with the Italian cycling feder🐬ation (FCI) on December 6.
for Caruso (Lampre-Fondital) on June 3. He rode for Liberty Seguros and Astana in 2006 when he was linked with
Operación Puerto and forced to stop riding. However, the Spanish federation to return to racing. Last fall, he , and rode for the team at t♕his year's Giro d'Italia.
"I write from the heart because I think we have reached a point of total madness," he continued. "I feel the victim of a power struggle between CONI, the [Ita🤪lian] federatiꦬon and the UCI [International Cycling Union].
"I did not receive a salary for six months; I did not compete for five months, from when Fuentes' case was discovered I have raced only occasionally. Maybe🗹 because I am one of the 'non-famous' I am not able to have a voice and I am left in limbo. I find the situation crazy and absurd."
Caruso, although cleared by the Spanish federation, has fought with his own country's federation. "Now, the t♏hing most dramatic is that in the meantime the rules of CONI-FCI anti-doping justice have undergone changes ... I requested timely action, and they respond or a lot of times they don't know what action to take – after 140 days from the date of deferment [ - ed.] I am still waiting for justice.
"I think that no one really has the courage to acquit me given the madness it would create in Italy in regards to this question of doping. There is a huge fear to acquit an athlete because of the possible infighting it could create between CONI, the federation and🗹 appeals court, or any other institute."
Also on December 6, the FCI will hold a disciplinary hearing for Alessandro Kalc. C🐷ONI recommended a life sentence for 50 year-old, ex-mountain biker for . The Italian allegedly worked as a courier and a🐭 contact for the riders in Italy to communicate with Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.
