From AFP. So who is it--Och, Neel?:
Riders pressured to take drugs says former prominent team manager
April 22, 2004
NEW YORK (AFP) - A former prominent American team manager claims that
cyclists have no choice but take performance enhancing drugs if they want to
stay competitive in the professional peloton.
"With so many races, so much pressure to perform, the riders are
pressured in taking performance enhancing drugs," the ex-team manager told
AFP on condition of anonymity.
"Just because riders never tested positive, it doesn't mean anything
because you can always cheat on the tests. If a rider wants dope, it's not
that hard to find," he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Actually, the riders want to be ahead of the curve. Some teams try to
find the most experienced doctors. They hire the best they can find. Believe
me, those guys know how to beat the system."
Over the last few years, cycling has been shrouded in controversy and
scandal.
The latest scandal involves France's top team, Cofidis, who have
suspended all competition as they battle allegations of doping since January
when a number of riders and ex-riders were alleged to have been using and
distributing banned substances, such as EPO (erythropoietin).
The subsequent investigation has led to seven riders, including the
main accuser, Frenchman Philippe Gaumont, and the team physio being charged
with illegally possessing toxic drugs
Also in Spain, former Kelme team rider Jesus Manzano has made damaging
allegations about his former team, whom he claimed encouraged blood
transfusions and forced him to take unknown substances at last year's Tour
de France, where he collapsed on the seventh stage.
Manzano's allegations, which also centred on suggestions that EPO,
growth hormones and practices which can help riders sidestep doping tests,
have been rubbished by Kelme, who had sacked him last year.
However they were enough to force Tour de France organisers to rule
out handing Kelme a wildcard invitation for this year's race.
The former team manager said that "all of this is crazier than the
Festina scandal" (in 1998) and hinted that a new product may be used by many
riders.
"Growth hormones aren't enough by themselves. EPO is no longer the
thing anymore. Something else is coming up. There's something new on the
market. It's possible that doctors have come up with a new product."
More than a handful of young riders have died of heart-related
problems this year, not a mere coincidence, according to the AFP source.
"The last time we had so many riders die of heart problems was when
EPO (erythropoietin) came up. It's more than a coincidence. It's not natural
for the heart to fail at such a young age. That's a hint that something is
wrong," he said.
The former team manager blames the International Cycling Union (UCI)
for its lack of adequate measures and advocates swifter fines to combat
doping cheaters like in other sports where you get a minimum of a two-year
ban.
"Instead of confronting the problem, the UCI turns its head down. We
don't know why they are not taking drastic measures. They think the problem
is going to go away. It's not," he said.
"They should have kicked Richard Virenque out of the sport. What's the
message they are sending. You can dope yourself and if you get caught you
get six months and race again.
"If you're a big name, nothing happens to you," he added. "That's the
problem. The UCI is spineless. It is something very frustrating for the
clean riders out there."