Rock Racing team owner Michael Ball wanted to clarify his stance with respect to the Kayle Leogrande case and not re-signing the cyclist. Ball has released the following statment.
“Whenever a rider is suspended – be it for doping or any disciplinary issue – it brings negative attention to the sport that so many of us are working hard to cast in a positive light.”
“In Kayle’s case, knowing that several of the sport’s governing bodies were also conducting their own investigations, we felt it was not appropriate to prevent him from racing until a verdict was reached. USA Cycling and the UCI did not deny him the right to race. Rock Racing absolutely and unequivocally does not condone doping, but we do respect due process.”
“The decision to not re-sign Kayle for the 2009 season had nothing to do with this case. It was based on performance.”