These are allegations against a culture of doping in one prominent team, a culture that was almost certainly eradicated after a climactic period of exposure and scrutiny in 2006. I must stress also that these are allegations only; that they must be investigated thoroughly before firm conclusions can be drawn. For mine there are too many questions – indeed inconsistencies – surrounding exactly who took what, and where, and why some newly hired riders were considered ‘outsiders’ and shunned, whereas others were “in”. One obvious newcomer – Sinkewitz – was inducted into the system, yet Bartko was isolated, for example.

Having said all of that, it’s undeniable that we expected something to come out of it, and it’s probably exactly as most of us thought: it wasn’t just Ullrich (not that Jan has ever admitted it, we only have the purported DNA link and heaps – bags even – of allegations). And yet it’s strange that Ullrich is implicated elsewhere, not directly with this Freiburg issue. It was a systemic issue for the team, but not a consistent one?

Experts investigating the procedures of two Freiburg University Clinic doctors who worked for cycling team T-Mobile allege German rider Andreas Kloeden doped during the 2006 Tour de France.

That’s not just an allegation against Kloden, either: The issue returned to prominence last fall, when Patrik Sinkewitz said that he – and possibly others – had driven to Freiburg for illegal blood transfusions during the 2006 Tour de France, only days after team captain Jan Ullrich had been suspended for his connection to Operación Puerto. The report found that doping within the team essentially began when the team was formed and continued relatively unabated through to 2006.

The allegations go back to 1992. That’s a lot of riders, some of whom are still prominent in the peleton today, indeed are current Top 10 Grand Tour favourites. It covers EPO, testosterone and blood doping, plus ‘magic elixirs’, the contents of which are not known.

As always, expect the worst and hope for the best!

These are allegations against a culture of doping in one prominent team, a culture that was almost certainly eradicated after a climactic period of exposure and scrutiny in 2006. I must stress also that these are allegations only; that they must be investigated thoroughly before firm conclusions can be drawn. For mine there are too many questions – indeed inconsistencies – surrounding exactly who took what, and where, and why some newly hired riders were considered ‘outsiders’ and shunned, whereas others were “in”. One obvious newcomer – Sinkewitz – was inducted into the system, yet Bartko was isolated, for example.

Having said all of that, it’s undeniable that we expected something to come out of it, and it’s probably exactly as most of us thought: it wasn’t just Ullrich (not that Jan has ever admitted it, we only have the purported DNA link and heaps – bags even – of allegations). And yet it’s strange that Ullrich is implicated elsewhere, not directly with this Freiburg issue. It was a systemic issue for the team, but not a consistent one?

Experts investigating the procedures of two Freiburg University Clinic doctors who worked for cycling team T-Mobile allege German rider Andreas Kloeden doped during the 2006 Tour de France.

That’s not just an allegation against Kloden, either: The issue returned to prominence last fall, when Patrik Sinkewitz said that he – and possibly others – had driven to Freiburg for illegal blood transfusions during the 2006 Tour de France, only days after team captain Jan Ullrich had been suspended for his connection to Operación Puerto. The report found that doping within the team essentially began when the team was formed and continued relatively unabated through to 2006.

The allegations go back to 1992. That’s a lot of riders, some of whom are still prominent in the peleton today, indeed are current Top 10 Grand Tour favourites. It covers EPO, testosterone and blood doping, plus ‘magic elixirs’, the contents of which are not known.

As always, expect the worst and hope for the best!

He’s clean, but his team suspended itself due to Vinokourov’s indiscretion and their bike sponsor withdrew support. But Kloden rides on, in team kit.

From Cyclingnews.com:
“Klöden rides in Germany

Andreas Klöden will return to racing Friday evening at the 16th Bitburger-City-Nacht in Rhede, Germany, his first race after Team Astana withdrew itself from the Tour de France following Alexander Vinokourov’s positive doping result.

Race organizer Uwe Hengstermann said that he had received a text message from Klöden’s manager Tony Rominger “again confirming that Andreas Klöden will come to Rhede on Friday.” On the race’s website, central-rhede.de, Hengstermann said, “Andreas Klöden has not ridden any races since Astana’s forced withdrawal from the Tour de France and, as far as we know, he will start racing again for the first time in Rhede.”

Although the team decided to suspend its activities during the month of August Klöden is able to ride in this race because he signed a personal contract to appear.

It was not clear whether Klöden will appear in his Astana kit and what bike he would be riding. Bike sponsor BMC cancelled its contract with the team as of August 1.“

And the kit he used was confirmed, btw.

He’s clean, but his team suspended itself due to Vinokourov’s indiscretion and their bike sponsor withdrew support. But Kloden rides on, in team kit.

From Cyclingnews.com:
“Klöden rides in Germany

Andreas Klöden will return to racing Friday evening at the 16th Bitburger-City-Nacht in Rhede, Germany, his first race after Team Astana withdrew itself from the Tour de France following Alexander Vinokourov’s positive doping result.

Race organizer Uwe Hengstermann said that he had received a text message from Klöden’s manager Tony Rominger “again confirming that Andreas Klöden will come to Rhede on Friday.” On the race’s website, central-rhede.de, Hengstermann said, “Andreas Klöden has not ridden any races since Astana’s forced withdrawal from the Tour de France and, as far as we know, he will start racing again for the first time in Rhede.”

Although the team decided to suspend its activities during the month of August Klöden is able to ride in this race because he signed a personal contract to appear.

It was not clear whether Klöden will appear in his Astana kit and what bike he would be riding. Bike sponsor BMC cancelled its contract with the team as of August 1.“

And the kit he used was confirmed, btw.