French cycling federation rules no disciplinary action should be taken
The Europcar team has welcomed a decision by the French cycling federation FFC to clear the Paris-Roubaix runner-up Sébastien Turgot in an anti-doping hearing.
On May 16th L’Equipe reported that the rider had three whereabouts violations to his name and risked a lengthy suspension. Under WADA rules, cyclists have to provide details of where they will be for one hour each day so that they can be tested under the so-called ADAMS system. Three violations in an eighteen month period can lead to a lengthy ban.
The rider protested his innocence, and despite some initial strong criticism by the Europcar team manager Jean-Rene Bernaudeau, the team quickly issued a statement saying that it supported him fully. It said that that two of the three ADAMS system whereabouts violations against him were being contested, with one of those ‘relating to a breach of the obligations incumbent on the UCI controllers,’ while the other being affected by ‘internet connection problems with ADAMS software.’
It claims that a missed test reported against his name was not missed at all. “Contrary to what has been stated, Sébastien Turgot underwent a control doping at the date of the alleged breach and this of course proved negative. This control was communicated to the team and is on the administrative and medical record of Mr Sébastien Turgot.”
According to AFP and the team itself, the rider has now been cleared.
“His employer and Team Europcar welcome this decision and recall that it never doubted Sebastien, whose comments and objections were real and serious.”
It added that the 28 year old retains full activity within the team.
Turgot has been part of the team structure since 2008, finishing third in Paris-Tours then. In addition to placing second in the 2012 Paris-Roubaix, he also took top ten finishes in Scheledeprijs, as well as on stages of the Tour of the Mediterranean, the Deiedaagse De Panne and the Presidential Tour of Turkey. Last month he finished sixth in the Tour de Picardie.