(Adds Pereiro quotes)
By Julien Pretot
PARIS, Jan 18 - Tour de France runner-up Oscar
Pereiro said on Thursday his failed drugs test for salbutamol
had been a 'massive misunderstanding' and he expected to have
the situation cleared up very soon.
"It's been a massive misunderstanding and I hope those
responsible for it apologise," the Spaniard told Radio Marca.
"It's true I took this product but it has been approved by
the doctor and the UCI (International Cycling Union) and I am
permitted to use it whenever I need to."
Pereiro said both the Tour organisers and UCI were aware
that he had permission to take the product.
"Since March 2005 I've been allowed to use it to combat
allergies and when I have a cold. The permit has been renewed
each season," the Caisse d'Epargne rider said.
"I'm very calm about the whole thing and know it will be
sorted out when I send the paperwork tomorrow, but I'm upset
that my reputation might have been stained by this report."
French anti-doping agency (AFLD) President Pierre Bordry
told L'Equipe: "This rider tested positive twice. Once in Gap
and another time in La Toussuire.
"Each time, he wrote on the test report that he had a TUE
(Therapeutic Use Exemption). But I am asking him to provide us
with the medical elements that justify him taking salbutamol."
LANDIS TEST
Tour champion Floyd Landis also failed a dope test during
the race, for the male sex hormone testosterone, and is likely
to be stripped of his title and banned for two years if he
fails to prove his innocence at an appeal hearing.
As runner-up to the American, Pereiro would expect to be
awarded the victory if Landis is unsuccessful.
Mathieu Desplat, a spokesman for Tour organisers the Amaury
Sport Organisation, said: "We are waiting until Jan. 25 when
Pereiro's case will be reviewed by AFLD before taking any
action".
Neither the Caisse d'Epargne team nor the UCI were
immediately available to comment.
The director of Spain's government-run Sports Council
Rafael Blanco told Spanish media: "From our point of view this
isn't a positive test and Spanish authorities have not received
any communication about any positive.
"The whole thing seems to have occurred because of a
conflict in responsibilities between two institutions (in
France).
"If there had been any doubt about the authorisation to
take such substances then they make the checks immediately and
if there had been the slightest suspicion about Pereiro they
would already have made that clear."
Last year's Tour de France was marred by doping problems. A
day before the start, nine riders were kicked out of the race
over a blood doping scandal that had erupted in Spain in May.
(Additional reporting by Simon Baskett in Madrid)