UCI President Pat McQuaid announced yesterday that they will name a number of riders next week who have been found to be doping through the use of the UCI’s blood passport system.

This comes one day after Spanish rider Anton Colom was found to have EPO in his system.  McQuaid claimed that he was targeted for testing following unusual results on his blood passport.  This he claims proves the system works.

Disgraced rider Bernhard Kohl claimed in an interview with l’Equipe newspaper that he was able to cheat the blood passport and that it was no secret that this could be done among the peloton.  He also mentioned his belief that the top 10 finishers in the Tour de France last year were doped although none of the finishers bar Kohl himself have tested positive.  Today Kohl has claimed that he never said that however and threatened to sue l’Equipe.

On Tuesday Kohl’s claim that you can cheat the system was rubbished by Garmin directeur sportif Jonathon Vaughters speaking to CyclingNews.  Vaughters said that his team had approached Kohl with a view to him joining the team but had been unhappy with the blood values provided and had ceased interest in the rider.  Cédric Vasseur, the president of the professional cyclist’s union (CPA), has indicated that they may sue Kohl because of his claims in l’Equipe.

If the UCI are to announce suspensions or actions to be taken against riders this will be not the first time that it has happened without a positive test.  Ivan Basso has recently returned from suspension for the Operation Puerto scandal and he never actually tested positive.

We will bring you information on any announcements from the UCI next week as soon as it is made available.