Road Bike Racing - Newbie roadie, caffeine?

I was reading an article in Cycling weekly about the riders who will be suspended for drug abuse. I understand why certain drugs are prohibited but why is caffeine not allowed? I would think that most riders drink coffee which would put caffeine in their system and the caffeine is only in the body for a short time then you burn out. Also, why would they want to use caffeine? It acts like a diuretic(sp?) which could cause dehydration especially during endurence racing such as the tours.
Cheers:beer:

Caffeine is a very potent stimulant. It gives a sensation of well-being [pick-me-up], it sharpens acuity and reflexes and, in sufficient quantities, can increase strength.

Caffeine, per se, is not banned by the UCI -- can you imagine the outcry if Italian and French racers were denied their espresso? But it is controlled. According to the UCI regulation, "for caffeine, a sample shall be considered as positive if the concentration in the urine exceeds 12 micrograms/ml." You'd get that by drinking eight or ten long espressos in an hour.

Everything you need to know about the UCI and doping can be found here (http://www.uci.ch/english/health_sante/index.htm).

Thanks for the info. I understand that it is a stimulant but if the riders are allowed to have a certain amount in their system then they should not get busted for having caffeine pills in their possession. RULES, RULES RULES.
Thanks again
Cheers:beer:

The list of UCI banned substances is huge. However many items are legal in certain doses.

Caffeine for example has always been an issue as many riders test positive for such and quickly are labled 'drug users' and within days rumors fly (especially online) and it comes out worse.

Caffeine is legal but it has to be highly monitored by the riders and team doctors as to not test positive.