Luxembourg cyclist Frank Schleck was cleared of involvement in the Operation Puerto case on Tuesday.
After a two-month probe the Grand Duchy’s anti-doping authorities said that nothing illegal was uncovered. The agency said that aside from a 9,500 dollar payment to a Swiss bank account belonging to Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, there was nothing to link Schleck to illegal doping activities.
Schleck was the sixth place finisher in this years Tour de France and wore the coveted Malliot Juane for three days. The rider had informed Luxembourg’s Anti-Doping agency of the transfer two months ago which prompted the investigation.
“First of all, I’m happy that I had to chance to prove that I was innocent. I have a lot of respect for the work the Luxembourg Anti-Doping Agency had to do and I have been totally available for all their inquiries. Throughout the whole process I have been confident that I would come out good because I have a completely clear conscience. Now, I can focus on the new season and I’m looking forward to coming back strong”, says Schleck.
Schleck’s CSC Saxo Bank team acknowledged Schleck informed them of the March 2006 transfer, and that the rider explained it was done “to receive training advice by experts who presumably worked with some of the biggest names in the sport.”
“All of our riders are ambassadors of a clean sport and with our groundbreaking, independent anti-doping program we can rule out any wrongdoing going on unnoticed and we take sincere comfort in that. The team has gone to great lengths in the fight against doping and we will continue to make our mark here along with our efforts on the roads,” commented Team Director Bjarne Riis.