Doping claims are denied by Kelme
MADRID, Spain -- Leading cycling team Kelme have denied claims of systematic doping by a former rider on the Spanish squad.
Jesus Manzano, was sacked by Kelme at the end of last season, alleged in the newspaper AS that he was given banned growth hormones and was injected with EPO (erythropoietin) "almost every day."
"He's not telling the truth," team director Vicente Belda told another newspaper El Mundo.
"His statements make me nauseous, " added Belda. "It is clear that doping exists in all sports, but not all are doped or drug addicts, as he is insinuating."
And on Thursday the team issued a statement: "We categorically deny that the banned techniques referred to in the article were carried out, covered up or permitted in our team and we expressly condemn such practices and those who use them," it said.
The team, jointly sponsored by the Spanish region of Valencia, said they were prepared to give their full cooperation to anti-doping authorities in order to clear their name and were looking into possible legal action over the accusations.
In the interviews published Wednesday and Thursday, 25-year-old Manzano alleged widespread doping practices, including injections of banned substances, blood transfusions and strategies to cheat drug test officials at major races.
"Growth hormones are used a lot, both in competition and during training periods, and it's not being detected in the controls," Manzano said in Thursday's article.
Manzano also said he routinely took the performance-enhancer EPO, stopping 15 days before a race to avoid detection. EPO boosts red blood cell production and increases strength and stamina.
Guillermo Jimenez, director of the governmental sports council, told AS it had launched an investigation into the allegations.
The squad, captained by Oscar Sevilla, took the team prize in last season's Tour of Spain.
Fresh scandal
The latest doping allegations come hard on the heels of a fresh scandal in France where former Cofidis star Philippe Gaumont admitted using performance enhancing drugs.
Gaumont, who has now quit the sport, is co-operating with the authorities and his revelations have already made uncomfortable reading for his former teams and cycling officials.
Robert Sassone, a world track champion and teammate of Gaumont at Cofidis, is also under investigation by French police after a haul of drugs were found at his home.
Sassone, 26, who also tested positive for a steroid derivative last year, printed an open letter in the French-language New Caledonians newspaper on Thursday saying he was paying heavily for his actions.
"I didn't kill anyone, but this mistake, which I will explain to the judge, I'm paying for heavily and in cash. It will ruin my life because I dreamt of a career in cycling," said Sassone, who was sacked by Cofidis team at the end of last season.
In January, a French judge took the first step towards formal charges against Sassone after amphetamines, erythropoietin (EPO), growth hormone, testosterone and anabolic steroids were found during a search of his home at Hyeres in southern France.
