Reserves comment on Contador case, wants to see outcome
French champion Thomas Voeckler has said that he believes that the sport of cycling is in a better position than it has been in many years, stating that he thinks the majority of the peloton is competing clean.
“Unlike a few years ago, I feel that everyone is going in the same direction in the fight against doping. That’s good,” he indicated in an interview with Sport 24.
“What is clear that I’ve been in the professional world for ten years and I assure you I have the feeling that things are getting better and better. The controls are more effective. Fifteen years ago, there was not a positive test during the Tour…I don’t think that was because no riders were doping. We must also accept that the battle is more effective, that some riders are being caught. In recent years, there are cases that has happened. That means it’s getting better and better, but I don’t believe that everything is perfect. We must have faith that the great majority of riders who do their job honestly. At the same time, it must also be realistic and not be naive.”
Vockler has never been involved in a doping affair nor accused of behaving improperly. He said that he believes riders like him can help the sport by setting examples.
“If I was going to be discouraged, I would have already been discouraged. I can make my own path with my beliefs, my way of riding a bike which is, I think, the same way as most of the riders. I do not lose sight of the fact that I’m lucky to earn a living from cycling. Not everyone gets a chance like this. There are people who get up at five o’clock in the morning and work 40 hours per week in a job they do not necessarily like. I am lucky enough to live comfortably doing what I love, that is what I remember.
“Of course I am mindful of everything going on around but that does not take away my joy of cycling.”
The 2010 Tour de France stage victor and winner of the ProTour-ranked Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec recently signed for the new Europcar team, which is essentially an evolution of his existing BBox Bouygues Telecom squad. He was set to go to Cofidis, but received a last-minute ultimatum from the new sponsor that he should sign, or the team would not go ahead.
He was asked his view on the ongoing Alberto Contador case, which sees the Spaniard under examination after testing positive for Clenbuterol. Voeckler’s stance appears to be that it is too soon to create a media firestorm, and that time needs to be given for the investigation to be done.
“He’s the principal character of the Tour de France. It is difficult for me to speak on that subject at this time,” he said. “What I want to say is that you need to make a fuss when it’s worth it. If cheating is proven, then of course he has to be sanctioned. If noting is found, it is not necessary to knock cycling for nothing.”