The Rebellin Hoax

Suddenly, a great year. Now we know why. From CyclingNews:

Rebellin and 19 others on trial
Gerolsteiner's Davide Rebellin has, along with 19 others, been put on trial
in the Italian town of Este, Padova, accused of receiving prohibited
pharmaceutical substances, and violating the Italian anti-doping and
sporting fraud laws. The trial commenced on Wednesday morning, November 10,
and most of the accused are cyclists: Dario Acquaroli, Filippo Baldo, Ramon
Bianchi, Mauro Busato, Matteo Cacco, Davide Casarotto, Nadia Dandolo
(athletics), Gianni Faresin, Andrea Ferrigato, Marco Fincato, Martin
Hvastija, Petr Klasa, Fabio Marchesin, Mirco Marini, Selina Martinello
(Rebellin's wife), Uros Murn, Gorazd Stangelj, Marco Villa and Matteo
Zendron.

The trial was initiated on the basis of phone tapping and video surveillance
on the riders in question. During May, 2001, Rebellin was allegedly filmed
receiving a syringe containing a banned substance, while at the end of the
month, he was allegedly videoed injecting himself with EPO in his hotel room
in Bassano del Grappa. Rebellin has always maintained his innocence.


--
How strange when an illusion dies, it's as though you've lost a child.--Judy
Garland