Evening Headlines: Cardoso’s non-positivity | Izagirre brothers target Paris-Nice | Kittel switches to Tirreno

André Cardoso’s counter-analysis tested non-positive

In June former Trek-Segafredo rider André Cardoso tested positive to EPO. The Portuguese was forced to stop and he is still under sanctions. The result of the tests on the B-sample, otherwise, are not confirming what proved to be with the first one. Portuguese newspaper A Bola calls the results “inconclusive”. Now the athlete and his lawyer insist to be refunded for the period he has been sanctioned. UCI independent body CADF claims Cardoso could be banned in any case whereas LADS believes the rider should stay under sanctions until new developments.

Izagirre brothers lead Bahrain-Merida at Paris-Nice

Paris-Nice is a family matter for Ion and Gorka Izagirre. The Basque brothers were indicated to lead Bahrain-Merida thoughout the 8 days of racing of which the Courses au Soleil is composed of. Ion has not achieved yet a prestigious result over this season, whereas Gorka finished Tour Down Under in seventh and Tour of Oman in third, getting the fourth place on the top of Jabal Al Akhdhar up-hill finish.

Kittel exchanges Paris-Nice for Tirreno-Adriatico

Marcel Kittel won’t participate to Paris-Nice. In the beginning ASO wrote down Kittel’s name inside the provisional startlist of Paris-Nice but the German changed his mind. Kittel, together with his team, decided to switch to Tirreno-Adriatico because of the more sprint oppurtunities available in the Italian course. Simon Spilak will headline the Swiss team with regard to the GC whereas Marco Haller will lead Katusha-Alpecin sprint train at Paris-Nice.