Yes, you're correct. But sort of in Martin's defense, and to add... it mentions in another article that he and his team manager specifically asked the doctor if the probenecid was illegal. The doctor said no, checked with another doctor and they both agreed it was fine. Quote: "We obviously did ask and he did tell us that it was all fine. There were two doctors and they guaranteed us there was no issue about it."
But then he also says: "At the same time, we 100% trusted the doctor and when you go to the doctor most of the time you just trust him and you don't check every medicine that is prescribed to you."
And: "...my team manager, tried to check on the Wada list that day but there was no signal where we were so we ended up not checking, that was the huge mistake."
So, I believe he knows full well that \#1. they shouldn't just trust any doctor, especially one that is not at an actual EWS event. And \#2. He knows they should have checked the list once they had access to wifi/cell range and that it was their own fuck up for not doing that.
So yes, this all could have been avoided if, once in cell range, they checked the list, found it illegal, and went back for the TUE.
It will serve as a wake up call to all riders, team managers and teams: everyone should be carrying an updated list, should check everything they are given before taking it and get a TUE immediately if needed.
It's a fairly young discipline and series and you can expect these kinds of mistakes as the EWS becomes a more professional series, but the UCI cannot bend or break it's own rules just because he's a nice guy who wasn't actually trying to cheat. The rules are hard and fast for very, very good reasons.
June 28, 2019, 11:42 a.m. - IslandLife
Yes, you're correct. But sort of in Martin's defense, and to add... it mentions in another article that he and his team manager specifically asked the doctor if the probenecid was illegal. The doctor said no, checked with another doctor and they both agreed it was fine. Quote: "We obviously did ask and he did tell us that it was all fine. There were two doctors and they guaranteed us there was no issue about it." But then he also says: "At the same time, we 100% trusted the doctor and when you go to the doctor most of the time you just trust him and you don't check every medicine that is prescribed to you." And: "...my team manager, tried to check on the Wada list that day but there was no signal where we were so we ended up not checking, that was the huge mistake." So, I believe he knows full well that \#1. they shouldn't just trust any doctor, especially one that is not at an actual EWS event. And \#2. He knows they should have checked the list once they had access to wifi/cell range and that it was their own fuck up for not doing that. So yes, this all could have been avoided if, once in cell range, they checked the list, found it illegal, and went back for the TUE. It will serve as a wake up call to all riders, team managers and teams: everyone should be carrying an updated list, should check everything they are given before taking it and get a TUE immediately if needed. It's a fairly young discipline and series and you can expect these kinds of mistakes as the EWS becomes a more professional series, but the UCI cannot bend or break it's own rules just because he's a nice guy who wasn't actually trying to cheat. The rules are hard and fast for very, very good reasons.