Kayle Leogrande
Encyclopedia
Kayle Leogrande is an American
professional road racing cyclist. Leogrande was the 2006 US National Criterium Champion and spent two years with the infamous Rock Racing-Murcia team, after having turned pro in 2005 with US domestic squad Jelly Belly-Kenda. Leogrande was embroiled in a doping scandal in 2008, when it was alleged that he confessed his use of performance-enhancing drugs to a team staffer when competing at Superweek on July 26, 2007. Leogrande vigorously contested the charges brought against him by the United States Anti-Doping Agency
(USADA), but was suspended for two years after a three-member arbitration panel concluded he had used EPO. The Californian completed his suspension in late-2010, and announced his intention to compete again in a video released on YouTube.
. Under the guidance of then team-manager and confidant Joseph Papp
, Leogrande promptly won the points classification at the 2007 Redlands Bicycle Classic, where he also finished second in the stage two criterium. He claimed three stages at the International Cycling Classic-Superweek in Wisconsin before finishing second overall. One of Leogrande's most impressive results of the season, however, was his top-10 finish at the CSC International, alongside a field that included European professionals: he took 8th.
Leogrande remained with a completely revamped Rock Racing for the 2008 season, but attracted attention less for his riding than for allegations of doping and lawsuits. He collected a few podium finishes in minor races, but did climb to 6th in the USPRO National Criterium Championship, the amateur version of which he'd won two years before.
Later in the year, Leogrande filed another lawsuit, this time a defamation claim against former Rock Racing soigneur Suzanne Sonye. Leogrande also sued former professional cyclist Matt DeCanio for defamation. However, the USADA case against him went forward, and it was alleged that he had confessed his use of performance-enhancing drugs to Sonye when competing at Superweek on July 26, 2007. Though Leogrande denied the charges, he wasin suspended for two years after a three-member arbitration panel concluded he had in fact used EPO. Leogrande's "non-analytical" positive doping control was of note because it was based not matching A and B urine samples that showed traces of drug metabolites, but rather, sworn testimony from Sonye and Rock Racing team director Frankie Andreu
and ancillary evidence such as cellphone records detailing calls between Leogrande and Papp plus their hand-written correspondence.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional road racing cyclist. Leogrande was the 2006 US National Criterium Champion and spent two years with the infamous Rock Racing-Murcia team, after having turned pro in 2005 with US domestic squad Jelly Belly-Kenda. Leogrande was embroiled in a doping scandal in 2008, when it was alleged that he confessed his use of performance-enhancing drugs to a team staffer when competing at Superweek on July 26, 2007. Leogrande vigorously contested the charges brought against him by the United States Anti-Doping Agency
United States Anti-Doping Agency
The United States Anti-Doping Agency , is a non-profit organization and the national anti-doping organization for the United States. The organization is charged with managing the anti-doping program for the U.S...
(USADA), but was suspended for two years after a three-member arbitration panel concluded he had used EPO. The Californian completed his suspension in late-2010, and announced his intention to compete again in a video released on YouTube.
Cycling career
Leogrande turned professional in 2005 with the Jelly Belly-Kenda team, and placed first in the Murrietta Stage Race. He reverted to amateur status in 2006 but won the US National Criterium Championship in Downers Grove, IL. That result and his edgy persona as a muscular professional tattoo-artist with a studio in Upland, CA earned Leogrande a return to the professional peloton in 2007, with Michael Ball's new Rock Racing team. There he would race alongside three-time US Olympian Mariano Friedick and seven-time US National Champion Rahsaan BahatiRahsaan Bahati
Rahsaan Bahati is an American racing cyclist who currently rides for the SKLZ-Pista Palace cycling team. Formerly, he rode for and managed the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling team. He specializes in criterium racing and track cycling...
. Under the guidance of then team-manager and confidant Joseph Papp
Joseph Papp
Joseph Papp was an American theatrical producer and director. Papp established The Public Theater in what had been the Astor Library Building in downtown New York . "The Public," as it is known, has many small theatres within it...
, Leogrande promptly won the points classification at the 2007 Redlands Bicycle Classic, where he also finished second in the stage two criterium. He claimed three stages at the International Cycling Classic-Superweek in Wisconsin before finishing second overall. One of Leogrande's most impressive results of the season, however, was his top-10 finish at the CSC International, alongside a field that included European professionals: he took 8th.
Leogrande remained with a completely revamped Rock Racing for the 2008 season, but attracted attention less for his riding than for allegations of doping and lawsuits. He collected a few podium finishes in minor races, but did climb to 6th in the USPRO National Criterium Championship, the amateur version of which he'd won two years before.
Doping Affair
In January 2008 Leogrande made headlines when he was revealed to be the anonymous rider filing a lawsuit against USADA, seeking to prevent the testing of his B-sample from a urinalysis taken at Superweek the previous year, which was thought to contain evidence of EPO., The A-sample had tested negative for performance-enhancing drugs but USADA claimed the right to test the B-sample regardless, already suspecting that Leogrande had doped. USADA refrained from testing the backup sample and the suit was dismissed - but the anti-doping agency still charged the rider with a doping violation.,Later in the year, Leogrande filed another lawsuit, this time a defamation claim against former Rock Racing soigneur Suzanne Sonye. Leogrande also sued former professional cyclist Matt DeCanio for defamation. However, the USADA case against him went forward, and it was alleged that he had confessed his use of performance-enhancing drugs to Sonye when competing at Superweek on July 26, 2007. Though Leogrande denied the charges, he wasin suspended for two years after a three-member arbitration panel concluded he had in fact used EPO. Leogrande's "non-analytical" positive doping control was of note because it was based not matching A and B urine samples that showed traces of drug metabolites, but rather, sworn testimony from Sonye and Rock Racing team director Frankie Andreu
Frankie Andreu
Frankie Andreu is a former professional cyclist whose career highlights include riding as team captain of the U.S. Postal Service cycling team along with Lance Armstrong in 1998, 1999 and 2000.-Cycling career:...
and ancillary evidence such as cellphone records detailing calls between Leogrande and Papp plus their hand-written correspondence.
Other
Leogrande began tattooing in 1998, and in 2005 he acquired Classic Tattoo Parlor in Upland, CA. For a time he also operated a second facility in Malibu. Leogrande states that as of February 2010, he is developing a proprietary line of cycling clothing and accessories to be released in September.See also
- List of doping cases in cycling
- List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences