06/05/2012 - The UCI has founded a committee in their never-ending fight against doping. The committee's main goal will be the research into riders classified as illegal activities-suspected. Extra tests and close observation are keywords in their mode of operating. Thirteen riders have made the first list of the UCI-CIA (Committee of Illegal Activities), including one Belgian rider, Willy Wouters.

The Committee is mainly formed to secure a doping-free cycling. Its task is not to investigate ex-dopers or doping-suspects. Those will fall under another category. The Committee remained vaguely in their description: "We will not take on dopers, ex-dopers or doping-suspects. We're here to separate the guilty from the innocent. We will mainly deal with suspects of illegal activities: people that can't account their whereabouts, people with suspicious contacts. Once an athlete fails a drug-test, he will be investigated by the Anti-Doping Committee."

Willy Wouters, a Lotto Belisol rider, is one of the thirteen to fall under that category. Wouters was suspended from cycling two weeks ago because of multiple missing whereabouts. The UCI stated he's not been charged with doping, but he remains suspended nevertheless. Wouters has returned home in the mean time, returning disappointed from Italy, where he was scheduled for the Giro d'Italia.

"The UCI-CIA will take several measures to ensure a righteous system for all riders. The guilty will be punished and the innocent will go free. This is the way it's supposed to be, and it's the way it's going to be." said Georges Petit, first Chairman of the new-found Committee. A press conference will be held tomorrow, official statements and measures are expected.

All thirteen riders, including Wouters, remain suspended until then and their presence on the hearing before the press conference is obligatory. Wouters has made no comments so far, and has been keeping to himself all along. Team mate Dennis Vanendert has risen up to his defense in the media, calling the whereabouts system a "unjust, unfair and messed up system". Lotto Belisol has not made any public statements since it implicitly broke relations with Wouters.

08/05/2012 - Yesterday's press conference from the newly found UCI Committee of Illegal Activities was, to say at least, surprising. Drastic measures have been taken and many were left behind confused. The 13 riders declared to protest against the measures taken.

"All thirteen riders previously named will be excluded from any Pro Tour races, National Championships, Olympic Games and the World Championships. The riders will be allowed to race in other competitions, albeit under strict rules and under constant supervision. They will be tested regularly and are to be accountable 24 hours a day. The extra administrative costs and the extra doping tests will be paid by the riders themselves. Contracts with teams are to be respected, but they cannot sign new contracts with any Pro Tour team while the investigation is ongoing." declared Georges Petit, Chairman of the Committee.

Following the press conference was a storm of reactions on social media. Willy Wouters, the only Belgian rider concerned, gave a small interview before returning home: "This is crazy. We're treated like drug dealers. I don't know about the UCI, but we, honest working men, don't have thousands of dollars laying around. Paying for the tests and administrative costs will be hard, on the entire family. I can finally start racing again, though. That's probably the silver lining. Thanks." Lotto Belisol has already made an official response that it will pay for 75% of the financial burden that falls upon Wouters.

JuanMotr wrote:
Dear Alliens, free Ian and we will give you Daggen. (Dag will smash and everything will be allright )

edit: Why isn´t Stijn riding Giro?

PCM rulezz wrote:
who are the 13 riders. I can't find them?

dienblad wrote:


Armstrong, Basso, Ullrich, Schumacher, Di Luca, Rebellin, Galimzyanov, Hoanard, Ricco, Virenque, Riis, Lotz and Vinokourov.