Australian says cycling is far cleaner than before
Responding to the Lance Armstrong doping affair, the 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans has assured cycling fans that the sport has moved on from the bleak situation of the past decade.
The Australian had thus far said nothing about the US Postal Service investigation but late yesterday issued a brief statement calling on people to keep things in perspective and for the progress to continue in the push towards a cleaner sport.
“Behind the news, hysteria and sensationalism, I hope that people remember that the events being uncovered mostly occurred seven or more years ago, amongst a minority of those involved in a sport which has already changed and moved on,” he stated.
“Whilst these events are difficult and confronting to deal with now, both for those directly involved in the sport and for many around the world who follow cycling, let’s commend the authorities who are succeeding in the battle against doping; learn from these events which are the driving forces behind major changes and clean-ups in cycling, and have bought the sport to where it is today – not on the front page of tabloid newspaper – but to a level playing field where the hard work, meticulous equipment preparation and natural ability are winning the big beautiful prestigious races.”
According to the USADA report, there is clear evidence that most of Armstrong’s career was fuelled by banned substances. Accordingly, his results since August 1st 1998 have been stripped, and he has been handed a lifetime ban.
That report also states that there is strong signs that the Texan also doped in 2009 and 2010 after his return to the sport, with his blood profile being deemed highly suspicious. Despite that, Evans argues that things have progressed significantly, and that the current state of play is not comparable to that when Armstrong was in his peak.
“For those who are disappointed with the situation right now: do not despair, do not abandon us now we are in our best years, preparing things for our most important moment yet – the future…”
He had a mixed season in 2012 but is hoping for a full return to form next season. He will once again compete with the BMC Racing Team, and hopes to win the Tour de France again despite being 35 years of age.