News
Road

Samuel Sanchez criticises Armstrong ban

By Cycling News

published 23 October 2012

Euskaltel rider says there was no “direct evidence”

Comments

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Image 1 of 3

Spain's Samuel Sanchez in relaxed mood at the 2012 Tour de France(Image credit: Sirotti)

New GC leader Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) on the podium(Image credit: Susanne Goetze / cyclinginside.com)

Olympic champion Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) leads Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) on Luz-Ardiden.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Samuel Sanchez is against the decision to sanction Lance Armstrong for doping, because the American “never tested positive.” There was no direct evidence, only “verbal accusations”, the Euskaltel-Euskadi rider said.

Sánchez leads Euskaltel-Euskadi at Tour of Beijing

Euskaltel bids for WorldTour licence

UCI confirms Lance Armstrong's life ban

On Monday the UCI said that it would accept the USADA's decision to ban Armstrong and disqualify his results dating back to 1998.

"I don't find it right,” he told La Sexta. “I think there should be a fair trial. You cannot punish a person only by verbal accusations. I think Lance has not tested positive throughout his career, was never sanctioned and now we see it all in cycling. One is accused of doping and they take away your career,.”

In a radio interview, Sanchez called the process a “show trial”, according to the Efe news agency. “A battle is created in the media and creates journalistic bombs that put public opinion against the athlete and punish you. This should not be the case.”