Cyclist Philip Zajicek has been banned for life after admitting to multiple doping violations in a case stemming from an investigation into EPO and human-growth hormone trafficking from China. Zajicek is a former US junior champion who received a first sanction in 2004 after testing positive for a stimulant. He admitted to a second doping offense for purchasing EPO, a third doping offense for providing false testimony at an arbitration hearing, and for encouraging other witnesses to provide false testimony. Zajicek, 32, will also pay the US Anti-Doping Agency $5,000 for expenses associated with his conduct.
The investigation has been one of finger-pointing as cyclists come forward to confess, and, often, incriminate their teammates. Cyclist Joe Papp was a USADA witness in the 2007 arbitration case that resulted in Floyd Landis having his Tour de France title stripped. Landis subsequently admitted he doped, and has accused Lance Armstrong and others of cheating as well. The Landis allegations helped set in motion a federal investigation into cycling, with Armstrong and his teams the focus of the probe. (Click to read more on Armstrong’s denial of any doping.)