Segura says Contador plasticizer levels are indicative of transfusion
Developer of plastܫicizer test comments on Contador affair
Until recently, Dr. Jordi Segura, the head of🏅 the IOC-accredited laboratory in Barcelona, was largely unknown outside scientific circles. However, thanks to a test that he has developed to detect plasticisers within the human body, Segura has unwittingly taken centre stage in the doping affair surrounding Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.
His test is designed to detect evidence of autologous blood transfusions, and was reportedly used by the laboratory in Cologne, Germany on Contador'ಌs samples from the Tour de France.
Questioned about claims made in the New York Times and L'Equipe that Contador's levels were eight to 10 times higher than normal, Segura said, "Those reported parameters are an unequivocal indication [that a blood transfusion took place]," Segura told AS. "However, we should look at all t🐻he dat♉a and see if there are any sudden changes in the levels in the samples taken before and afterwards."
Segura said that he had ꦐno idea that his method for detecting plasticise🤡rs had been used by the laboratory in Cologne to test Contador's samples from the Tour. "Nobody has officially notified us that it has been used," Segura confirms. "I don't understand how it can be that they haven't been in contact with the people who developed the test, especially as it is being used in such high-profile case."
Segura said tha𒉰t although the test for di-phthalate plasticizers has yet to be formally sanctioned by the World Anti-Doping Agen💫cy (WADA), the method is valid.
"It's totally g🍌ood and robust, and it's one of the most important anti-doping advances in recent years because it's the only way of knowing if somebody has undergone an autologous blood transfusion," Segura explained, before outlining how the test works.
"Plastic bags have components that we call pl🐲asticizers, which retain the properties of red blood cells during storage. As these residues are also found in common items, the sample must demonstrate a very high level of detection and quantity in order to be considered positive."
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📖Segura admitted that the test may not be legally binding, given that it has yet to be formally validated. "That would be a question for WADA," he said. "In legal terms, you may need more tests to support it, as often happens with such discoveries. But in technical terms, I can say now that it's a categorical method t🌺hat is perfectly applicable."
Barry Ryan was He𒆙ad of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of , published by Gill Books.