Klöden "disappointed"

Andreas Klöden took his time to make a comment, "but as [you] can surely imagine, all hell broke loose yesterday after the announcement of Vino's positive A-sample. My team asked me not to say anything publicly until after the results of the B-sample have been announced. Naturally, I will do that, but I wanted to say how disappointed I am over the momentary situation."

Writing on his website andreaskloeden.de, the German rider noted that "Now I am sitting at home and have to watch the rest of the Tour on TV and I don't understand the world any more. With one blow, all of my work and preparations this season are for nothing."

Klöden had previously said he was satisfied with his performance which had left him sitting in fifth in the general classification, at least until his entire team withdrew after Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping Tuesday. Klöden had stated that his goal was to earn a place on the Tour podium.