Cycling chief accused WADA of being unprofessional

The president of cycling's governing body, Hein Verbruggen, has accused WADA of being "unprofessional" after it leaked a confidential report on the Tour de France and claimed the agency has a hidden agenda.

"The report was leaked purposely," Verbruggen, who is also a leading member of the IOC, told the Guardian.

From Guardian.co.uk:

The International Cycling Union said yesterday that officials from WADA will no longer be able to attend cycle races as observers. Verbruggen claimed that the leak is linked to a dispute between the agency and the ICU over the use of corticosteroids by athletes with a doctor's prescription. "The leak happened exactly the day before WADA's executive meeting is to pronounce on the list of banned substances," said a statement.

The issue came to a head last July in the Tour de France when the race leader, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, tested positive for the asthma drug salbutamol. WADA said he would be positive under their rules but the ICU cleared him.

"The report was leaked to L'Equipe and today there is discussion about the list [of substances]," said Verbruggen. "It has been used to influence the situation; I have to come to that conclusion."

"I do not say WADA are always unprofessional but this shows an unprofessional attitude," Verbruggen added.