Pro cyclist from Tucson given lifetime ban for doping

Posted on June 10th, 2011 by

Zajicek's official headshot from http://www.pegasusracing.com

Tucson native and Saguaro High School graduate, Phil Zajicek was given a lifetime ban by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

According to a story by CyclingNews.com, Zajicek admitted to purchasing and using performance enhancing drugs and later lying about it in testimony to a panel looking into doping.

The Cycling News report also says, “Zajicek is also disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to April 24, 2007, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.”

During that time, Zajicek won the Tucson Bicycle Classic twice.

According to a Velo Nation story, Zajicek released this statement:

“Today, I have accepted a lifetime ban from the sport of cycling,” the statement reads. “I have had an enjoyable and successful career which has taken me to all corners of the of the globe and I’m grateful for everything cycling has given me.

“It’s time to walk away from the sport and begin the next chapter of my life with the tremendous support of my wife, family and friends behind me.”

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Posted on June 10th, 2011 by
  • Grooveshark

    idiot. no wonder people look at cyclist like were drug addicts. 

    “I have had an enjoyable and successful career which has taken me to
    all corners of the of the globe and I’m grateful for everything
    cycling has given me.”
    “It’s time to walk away from the sport and begin the next chapter of
    my life with the tremendous support of my wife, family and friends
    behind me.”

    ….so taking drugs is a success????
    ….and your wife and friends support that????

    sad.

  • Arjg1

    It seems like he views his statement like Lou Gehrig’s farewell to baseball. You have it right on, Grooveshark – the only reason, it seems, that he was successful is because of the doping. The whole “it’s time to walk away from the sport…” is disingenuous as well, since he’s been permanently banned for life.

    …sigh…

  • Anonymous

    I think folks are gonna have to start acknowledging that there’s something bigger at play here: a culture of drugs in modern athletics.  It’s not just cycling but also football, baseball, basketball, track and field, and even the more esoteric international sports — would you believe Indian and Chinese badminton?!

    Honestly, I don’t know what’s to be done.  It’s not like the testing regimen (and subsequent media humiliation when someone gets caught) is really acting as a tremendous deterrent.  There’s got to be some other way to kick this habit.  We’ve got teenagers juicing in high school gyms all across the country; it’s sick.

    rynsa

  • Anonymous

    I think folks are gonna have to start acknowledging that there’s something bigger at play here: a culture of drugs in modern athletics.  It’s not just cycling but also football, baseball, basketball, track and field, and even the more esoteric international sports — would you believe Indian and Chinese badminton?!

    Honestly, I don’t know what’s to be done.  It’s not like the testing regimen (and subsequent media humiliation when someone gets caught) is really acting as a tremendous deterrent.  There’s got to be some other way to kick this habit.  We’ve got teenagers juicing in high school gyms all across the country; it’s sick.

    rynsa

  • Anonymous

    I think folks are gonna have to start acknowledging that there’s something bigger at play here: a culture of drugs in modern athletics.  It’s not just cycling but also football, baseball, basketball, track and field, and even the more esoteric international sports — would you believe Indian and Chinese badminton?!

    Honestly, I don’t know what’s to be done.  It’s not like the testing regimen (and subsequent media humiliation when someone gets caught) is really acting as a tremendous deterrent.  There’s got to be some other way to kick this habit.  We’ve got teenagers juicing in high school gyms all across the country; it’s sick.

    rynsa

  • Anonymous

     Crap.  Didn’t mean to post that as a reply to Grooveshark.  My bad.

  • Anonymous

     Crap.  Didn’t mean to post that as a reply to Grooveshark.  My bad.

  • Anonymous

     Crap.  Didn’t mean to post that as a reply to Grooveshark.  My bad.

  • zz

    All those things he got from cycling, he stole. These are super competitors and, like Hincapie said, when a rider you know to be of a lesser ability than you are, passes you, it becomes too much to resist. Beware the competitive nature.

  • Anonymous

    Doubt he’ll be showing  up for the Shootout anytime soon. He and Chodroff are now pariahs of the cycling community. We all make our own choices in life and Phil chose to be a cheater and a loser. Sad. Pathetic. A few of the words that come to mind.

  • Pk

    Couldn’t agree more that it is endemic to sport these days.  I don’t think it makes any sense whatsoever to single out one athlete when it is obviously so pervasive. 

    What amazes me is that no one, not the governing bodies, the team managers (ok Vaughters…), the athletes or the journalists who cover the sport seem to have a clue how to put an end to it.  As long as one continues the rest will follow.  Andreu spoke about being dropped by others you know wouldn’t have the legs on a climb and the incredible pull that has on you.  There must be a way to turn the tide against doping.

  • http://twitter.com/joepabike Joe Papp

    It’s not like PZ was a no-talent schmo, and he could have still been successful to some degree w/o doping I’m sure. But one would hope that after being caught lying under oath – and encouraging others to do the same and worse – PZ would at least apologize for being a bonehead. That statement as his final testament to his career only serves to ensure that he’s remembered for his utter contempt for the sport, his competitors, and the fans. Too bad, since it’s also not like only terrible people dope and PZ couldn’t have left cycling at least having acknowledged the errors of his ways and warned others not to follow his example. Perhaps in a month or so he’ll revisit his words and give the public something they can actually digest that doesn’t nauseate them.

  • Flaven

    Spandex clad fitness fanatics should keep their toys on the sidewalks.  If you want a workout go to the gym.

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