RadioShack manager says he does not believe Spaniard knowingly used Clenbuterol
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Are last drinks being called for Bruyneel and Astana?(Image credit: Unipublic)
Johan Bruyneel faces the media(Image credit: Steve Medcroft)
RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel has offered his support to his former rider Alberto Contador in the wake of the revelation of the Spaniard's positive test for Clenbuterol at July’s Tour de France. Bruyneel says that he believes Contador’s claim that he did not knowingly use the product.
"As with many people, I was quite shocked to learn the news about Alberto Contador's adverse analytical finding for Clenbuterol at this year's Tour de France,” Bruyneel said. “As someone who has worked closely with Alberto for three years (2007-2009), I strongly believe he is the victim of contaminated food and did not knowingly ingest the substance.
“Since 2007 Alberto has been recognized as one of the world's best cyclists, has proven his status in the top races, and has repeatedly given urine and blood with never an indication of foul play. I, like many others, have known Alberto to work hard for his results and be a model for the cycling community."
Bruyneel managed Contador at Discovery Channel and Astana. Together they won all three Grand Tours, taking the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009 to go along with 2008’s Giro d’Italia-Vuelta a España double.
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Barry Ryan is Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.
