photo credits @ Giant – Alpecin
John Degenkolb Says “Clean Cycling is Still a Pipe Dream”
John Degenkolb, winner of this year’s Milan-San Remo and the Paris-Roubaix classics, says “doping” cheats are still thriving in the sport of cycling.
“We should not expect to see cycling liberated forever from these cheats,” said the 26-year-old. “And the same goes for other sports too,” he said during an interview this week with the AFP. “Sport 100 per cent without doping is an illusion”
Degenkolb professes that he’s “totally clean”, and has made a zero tolerance pact with team-mate and top sprinter Marcel Kittel, who has numerous Tour de France stage victories to his credit, as well fellow German time-trial specialist Tony Martin.
“Anyone who does not believe us should come and observe us training to be convinced of our honesty,” he said.
There’s currently legislation underway in Germany, which proposes to make doping a criminal offense. The bill has been hailed by Degenkolb, Kittel and Martin, as a major step by their country toward the fight against doping in sport.
Degenkolb also called upon international authorities to act swiftly and severely to eliminate cheats.
“In the Astana case things have been going on too long and the federation needs to act more swiftly and decisively,” he said.
Astana’s leader, Vincenzo Nibali, won the Tour de France last year. Since then the Kazakh outfit had two first team riders banned this year but have nevertheless received an invitation to race in the 2015 edition.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
