"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - EPO fears in rider's shock death

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/04/1054700277789.html

German cyclist Erik Zabel won the opening stage of the death-marked Tour of Germany on Tuesday ahead of Australia's Stuart O'Grady.

The stage was overshadowed by the death of 23-year-old French rider Fabrice Salanson, who was found dead in his hotel room in the morning.

"We are all in shock," said German veteran Udo Bolts.

Salanson's La Brioche Boulangere team pulled out of the race.

The justice department announced it had opened an inquiry and the results of the autopsy would be known on Wednesday.


However, the death raised the spectre of drugs - in particular EPO, which has caused the heart-attack deaths of many European cyclists. Many EPO-using cyclists have died in their sleep as their hearts struggled to pump thickened blood.

Race director Roland Hofer said Salanson was found in his hotel room and had died between 2.30am and 4am.

Team manager Jean-Rene Bernadeau said that Salanson's roommate, Sylvain Chavanel, had found him lying at the foot of his bed when he went to wake him in the morning.

"Chavanel told me that they [the riders] had a quiet evening on Monday. He [Chavanel] only realised Fabrice was dead when he went to wake him up," said Bernadeau.

"We can't make any comments about the cause of the death as Fabrice was in great physical shape. We have to wait for the post-mortem.

"This is the kind of thing which can sometimes happen but it's a terrible tragedy."

Salanson joined the Brioches team this year after riding with Bonjour from 2000 to 2002.

He won two professional events, with his most important victory on the second stage of the Midi Libre in May 2002.

Salanson also had a stage win in the Tour de l'Avenir in 2000, his first year of professional cycling.

Tuesday's stage, which started in Dresden, was dominated by a 137-kilometre solo escape by Danish rider Jorgen Bo Peterson but he was eventually reeled in 3km from the finish leaving it to the sprinters to fight it out, with Zabel eclipsing O'Grady to take the stage.

I'm sorry to hear the speculation about EPO use when their is no proof to support it. Until the results from the tests are known, they should not be tarnishing a dead man's name.

-Matt-

I was thinking the same thing. There could be all kinds of reasons as to why he died. At least wait a day before speculating!

I guess it's all about trying to sell the newspapers with sensationalism over good, quality reporting these days. :(

from cyclingnews;
"Salanson's death "doping free"

The sudden death of French rider Fabrice Salanson (Brioches la Boulangere) on Tuesday morning in Germany has been declared "doping free" by laboratory experts. The Reuters news agency reports that Dresden state prosecutors have announced that the autopsy performed on Tuesday "showed no trace of injuries or blows and no stimulant was found in the body."

Spokesman Andreas Ferron said that further tests would be carried out by the IOC-accredited laboratory in Kreischa, Germany, but the results would not be known until Friday, European time. "Those tests are aimed at establishing whether EPO could be connected to the death," Ferron said.

Salanson's hotel room was also searched, and a bag of medical products and ampoules were found. However none of these products was on the doping list.

At this time, the cause of Salanson's death remains a mystery. The Brioches La Boulangere rider was found dead in his hotel room early Tuesday morning, the first day of the Tour of Germany. His team subsequently withdrew from the tour."

Thanks for the update, RacerX.

It's so sad. :(

Salanson's hotel room was also searched, and a bag of medical products and ampoules were found. However none of these products was on the doping list.
I don't like the sound of this. If it isn't on the list its ok?
His death is dope free if the substance is not on the list? even
if it proves to have killed him?
I don't wan't to start the whole doping debate
but something is rotten in Denmark if you ask me.

Marty

Aye. "medical products"? Did this rider have some sort of health condition(s)? Especially anything that could have contributed? And if so, why wasn't it mentioned?

And yes, a person in such great shape dying like that is kind of crazy. Complication from a legally used (nor for performance enhancing) drug maybe?

This is the kind of uneducated statement that just pisses me off. Why don't you go through every team's medical kit and YES even individual riders. MANY things including needles and injections are common. Why don't you ask J Vaughters if he had a needle and ampule handy when he was waiting for a decision from the UCI about injecting cortisone into his face. Of friggin' course he did and implying something that isn't proven- especially with Denis Zanette and now Salanson JUST PISSES ME OFF. If there was anything to be learned from the tragic death of Zanette is that some HUMAN DECENCY is called for on behalf of the family, friends and respect for the sport of cycling. MANY outside bastards will line up plenty quick to say EPO and drugs. Let's try and SUPPORT our cycling community by at least giving a dead man who dedicated his life to the sport we love THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, ok?
~rant over~


Originally posted by lotek
I don't like the sound of this. If it isn't on the list its ok?
His death is dope free if the substance is not on the list? even
if it proves to have killed him?
I don't wan't to start the whole doping debate
but something is rotten in Denmark if you ask me.

Marty

RacerX worded it a bit stronger than I would have but I agree with his sentiments.

The truly important issue is that the young man is dead, to the great shock and agony of his teammates and friends and to the unendurable grief of his family. While posts on this forum are almost certainly unknown to his mourning family I do think it proper to show some decorum and hold off on the speculation.

Even if further toxicology shows some linkage to performance enhancing drugs it would not, in my opinion, change the tragedy of a young man dying. Perhaps age is mellowing me but 23 is way too young to die and when something like this happens it's just sad.

I hope his family can eventually find peace and that Fabrice has found eternal peace.

I don't think there's much more to say.

Alot of things can cause death in their sleep. Remember Flo-Jo (Florence Griffith Joyner) , the olympic runner, she had seizures and stopped breathing which in turn caused a cardiac arrest as a result of the asphyxiation and hypoxia. Let's hope they have a good medical examiner.... the art and science of determining a person's death can be fraught with error if not handelled correctly.

RacerX,

I know this is an issue that really hooks you,
really pushes your buttons, but you seriously
need to chill out.

Originally posted by lotek
I don't like the sound of this. If it isn't on the list its ok?
His death is dope free if the substance is not on the list? even
if it proves to have killed him?
I don't wan't to start the whole doping debate
but something is rotten in Denmark if you ask me.

Marty

What's Denmark has to do with it? Is it an English or American saying that is new to me? Because a French rider from a French team dies tragically in southern Germany. I can't see what brings in something rotten in Denmark :confused:

Anyway, "a bag of medical products and ampoules were found". Can you think of any athlete who is in full competition for at least 200 days a year, who does not need medical care and attention?

Just my 2 cents,
Timo

Originally posted by Timo
What's Denmark has to do with it? Is it an English or American saying that is new to me? Because a French rider from a French team dies tragically in southern Germany. I can't see what brings in something rotten in Denmark :confused:


It's just a saying. It is a jocular misquotation from Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 4, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." It means that something is amiss, that there are hints of corruption.

Timo,
The Denmark reference is as follows:
'Hamlet' (1601) act 1, sc. 4, l. 84
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

It just implies that something is amiss.
has nothing to do at all with Denmark, nor geography
or geopolitics.
can't call it an americanism since Shakespear was
british.

I'm getting just a bit p.o.'d about all of this.

its like this (read with a George Carlin voice)
1)Sanlanson was found dead in his room
2) There were medical supplies found in his room
(ok heavy emphasis here)
BUT ITS OK, IT WASN'T DOPING MATERIALS.

There is no judgement in the above about the
supplies, about Sanlanson's using doping material or not.
I don't give a rats hind quarters that he had medical supplies,
I'm not so naive to think that riders don't require nor use them.
I knowthat vitamin injections, IV's to rehydrate etc. are the norm.
I think its tragic that in the reporting that is the main
thrust of the articles.

:blush: I'm a historian not a literary man :blush:

Hmmm, the "blush" smiley's don't show up. But the boxes with a red cross mean "shame"

No need to be ashamed. Americans (myself included) often think that we are the world. We use idioms, cliches and colloquialisms assuming that everyone else will understand them. It is good to be reminded, from time to time, that the world wide web is in fact a world wide web.

I have to agree with Lotek, something's fishy (amiss).

We all know that the pressure of performing at such a level of the professional bike racer is enormous. We also know, (yet are reluctant to admit) a "boost" here and there is common, not to say that every professional gets "assistance", but it is suspicious.

Just because the drugs found are not on the "banned" list doesn't mean he wasn't using a "new" concotion of drugs. For every rule, there is someone trying to figure out a way around it.

I will not cast blame and say that he was using drugs, but to die in your sleep at age 23, from a heart attack, cast reasonable suspicion.

L8R

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
I have to agree with Lotek, something's fishy (amiss).

We all know that the pressure of performing at such a level of the professional bike racer is enormous. We also know, (yet are reluctant to admit) a "boost" here and there is common, not to say that every professional gets "assistance", but it is suspicious.

Just because the drugs found are not on the "banned" list doesn't mean he wasn't using a "new" concotion of drugs. For every rule, there is someone trying to figure out a way around it.

I will not cast blame and say that he was using drugs, but to die in your sleep at age 23, from a heart attack, cast reasonable suspicion.

L8R

Guilty by association. There are thousands of reasons why young people die, but no. Because he was a professional cyclist this must be fishy. You guys are really sick. I hoped this was a civilized forum. Guess I was wrong.

Originally posted by Timo
Guilty by association. There are thousands of reasons why young people die, but no. Because he was a professional cyclist this must be fishy. You guys are really sick. I hoped this was a civilized forum. Guess I was wrong.

Thousands of young healthy people die from heart attacks in their sleep?
It sounds very odd for any young healthy male, let alone a cyclist (who of course has an above average quality cardiovascular system)

I would say, that any athlete performing at their respective Top Level of their sport, dying at 23 from a heart attack is reasonable suspicion of drug use. To think otherwise is being naive.

L8R

Suspicion????
Yeah, the conducted the tests and there was no trace of any type of drug use, he had a bag of fully approved medical supplies, yeah real suspicious. Two years ago a 17 year old high school basketball player collapsed on the court at a local highschool, and died from heart failure, I guess he's a dopper too. People die, that is a simple fact of life and the willingness of some of you to condem an inocent young man who tragicly died is appalling.

-Matt-

I agree, there is an appalling lack of respect for a member of our cycling community in this forum.
As many a lesser (wo)man would have you think otherwise, now is not the time for the blame-game or innuendo.

Seems a considerable number of people here prefer guilty by association instead of innocent untill proven guilty and like to combine this with a total lack of respect for somebody they simply didn't know. That's not the kind of forum I feel at home.

I don't think it's the forums or the individuals within. I can relate to both sides of it to a degree (can you say wishy washee :))

I get angry regarding the reporting aspect and lack of respect (or bias) and possibly the sensationalism. I can only speculate why the "medical kit" or whatever was mentioned, but I wish the report would have stated the facts and left out the part about the medical kit unless they are willing and able to detail just what it is. How about "He died and at this point, no evidence of illegal substance use was indicated. Initial tests were performed by X, which indicated no illegal substances, while X will do further testing with results to be published by X. Totally leave out the part about the presence of "medical supplies" or "medical kit" unless you're going to report what "medicines" were present. Were they vitamins or other such substances as alluded to above, or just what? If unlabeled vials or the like, then report it as such. Maybe I'm just too picky. Anyway, I pray he rest in peace and give my condolences to his family and friends.

Tribute to Salanson

The tragic death of young professional Fabrice Salanson has touched many, stunned by the loss of such a young and promising rider. Marie Donné has created a tribute site for Salanson, and a guest book for visitors to send thoughts and support the rider's family. Click here to share your thoughts (the site is in French, but don't let that stop you).

http://www.hommage-salanson.fr.vu/

Well, I was truly shocked when I read the story, it is really tragic. I don't suspect him of drug use, because even being super-fit doesn't mean you are immortal. If I remember correctly, there was a woman runner known as flow-joe or something like that, and she dropped dead of a heart attack. How about Edmond Burke? Same thing.

While I don't excuse the possibility of drugs, I hope that the memory of his death does not become riddled with drug use myths. If he is stated to be clean by the experts, then he is clean in my book.

Originally posted by Timo
Seems a considerable number of people here prefer guilty by association instead of innocent untill proven guilty and like to combine this with a total lack of respect for somebody they simply didn't know. That's not the kind of forum I feel at home.

I don't know what you expect from a forum filled with individuals from every walk of life and from all over the globe. People will disagree. People will be passionate about defending positions. It is not anything to loose your lunch over. Calm down and just be civil as possible and take a valium or something. OOPS that may be considered doping.

Lotek is and always has been one of the most respectful individuals whose posts I read regularly. He does not deserve any bashing for stating his opinion. Especially in a benign thread like this one.

As far as guilt by association or innocent until proven guilty. UMM, beleive me pal you are guilty until proven innocent these days. Don't beleive me. Try fighting the system over a tax error even if there was no error. The IRS will seize your assets faster than you can say Hi! Guilty until you prove you are innocent is our true system here bud.

Oh, and by the way. I beleive there is a strong possibility the guy was probably using some questionable substances and can't wait to see the truth.

Results from the EPO testing facility at the IOC are supposed to be concluded by this Friday. We will wait and see.

RacerX,

thanks for the link to the tribute site.
while we may disagree over doping etc. don't
get the idea that I am not touched and
saddened by Fabrice's death.

Marty

I just finished watching "Summer Sports Zone" on OLN. Towards the end they showed some clips from the Tour of Luxembourg. Included was an attack by Salanson towards the close of a stage (I wasn't paying attention to the race particulars). He was eventually caught and dropped by a counter-attack but as Rolle and the "other guy" (name?) were saying it's so hard to believe that he'd be dead in a few days. This is sad.

I don't want to appear to be attacking anyone's views and I enjoy reading Marty's posts but I really don't care if he was doping. At least that fact (if true) doesn't diminish the sadness of the death of a 23 year old kid.

As a high school coach (US football and Track and Field) I'm very aware of the fact that sometimes young and seemingly healthy athletes die. Sometimes something like ephedra is linked, sometimes it's congenital. It is equally tragic in either case. I thank God I haven't had to deal with it personally but it has happened in districts where I've coached and there's not much that's sadder.

I never met and almost certainly never would have met Fabrice Salanson and I suspect none of you fellow posters ever would have either but I do think we owe him the respect of keeping the ineuendo to a minimum.

There is a difference between blaming his death on doping and questioning the reasons for his death.

I think some people misunderstood this.

This really is a tragedy.
Salanson´s death remains mysterious, no organic or toxical cause could be found yet.

It´s sad that pro cyclist always get under suspicion of doping and drug abuse.

Update:
Salanson died a "natural death". No toxic substances were found.
Obviously he died the sudden cardiac death.

Final results of the testing will not be completed until June 13 as reported in cycling news. Further test are still being done to try and rule out EPO and other medications that may have contributed to the cause of death.

I read report in Velonews, and a link that my wife
sent, both state that autopsy showed no evidence
of drugs in Sanlansons system.
Not sure about the june 13th date Capn mentioned.

Marty

My understanding is that the preliminary test which have already been done are not as extensive as the test to be done by the IOC testing facility and that the testing for the presence of EPO could not be done by the first lab and that only the IOC facility can test for this. I think that is why the June 13th date for the final report.

Latest news:
Salanson: heart failure

Doctors at the University of Dresden medical institute in Germany have concluded that Fabrice Salanson died most likely of heart failure. "According to what we've discovered thus far, the French cycling professional Fabrice Salanson died a natural death," Dr. Jan Dressler said in an AP report. Doctors suspect Salanson's heart was enlarged and the coronary vessels failed to pump enough blood.

Funeral Saturday

Family, friends, and the Brioches La Boulangère team and staff will gather Saturday outside Nantes, France to remember Fabrice Salanson at funeral services in Frossay. Given the timing, the team has forfeited its place in the Classique des Alpes, however participation in the Dauphiné Libéré, which begins Sunday, is still planned.