Kristoff: – That he test positive for cocaine, I had never imagined – Dagbladet.no

RENNES / OSLO (procycling.no): When procycling.no stood outside lagbussen to Katjusja before the eighth stage of the Tour de France, it was a little talkative Torsten Schmidt who met the press.

– I have nothing else to say than that contained in the press release from the team. Based on a sporting vision so we will miss Luca, and especially bad is it for Alex, says the German sports director.

Luca Paolini was notoriously sent home from the Tour de France yesterday, because a drug test taken on July 7 showed traces of the drug cocaine.

Cocaine makes no performance enhancing effect, but are forbidden to use in connection with the competition.

Ekimov: – He could not give me an explanation

Katjusjas coach Viacheslav Ekimov, however, was easier to get in speech.

– I was in the bus and spoke with Luca. I asked for an explanation, but he could not give me, says Ekimov to procycling.no

Created waiting to get your B sample analyzed.

– We can not explain there we. We are waiting to get the truth out, and the truth will b-sample give us, continues Ekimov.

– Do you think Luca has taken cocaine during the Tour de France?

– I believe nothing. I want to see the answer to b-sample and the level of findings and results.

Damages team’s image

Paolini has temporarily been suspended by the team but will Ekimov not go into whether this could have further consequences for the Italian.

– We do not know yet. We know that we follow UCIs regulations and has a strict anti-doping policy, says Ekimov.

– How much damage this team’s image?

– The damage image ours, but before we have the facts, we can not comment on this more, quit Ekimov.

Kristoff: – A shock

After the team leaders had spoken out, eventually came Alexander Kristoff out of the bus.

– It was a shock for the whole team. He’s taken cocaine, and it’s not something you want to have in the team, says Kristoff

– Have you talked to him?

– No. I did not take the bus with him yesterday. I met him not in the hotel either.

– How did you receive the news?

– It was with shock and unbelievers. That he test positive for cocaine during the Tour de France, I had never imagined. It’s not like he’s lying in the room.

Kristoff is puzzled by Paolini explanation that he has not got it in him through a glass or a bottle.

– A positive sample lie usually not, then it suggests that he has taken it. You do not get this at you for no reason, so I think not quite sure he had it in him through a bottle or glass of water.

Mister important help

Paolini has long been the primary means rider Alexander Kristoff. He has helped the Norwegian to several major triumphs.

– In the short term so I lose an important help in the Tour de France. Also Rodrigues considering the team time trial. In the long term I lose an important man for the classics. I expect that he gets fired if b-sample is positive.

– Do you still have confidence Luca?

– I need to know more about what that emerge from the b-sample. He has used it in smaller doses with the aim of relieving pain, I do not trust him. He has used it privately he needs help and a lifestyle change.

– Is the tour destroyed your part now?

– It has not been brilliant so far, and yesterday topped this a bad day. There are several days left, so we can correct impression, but I could not have done anything differently yesterday anyway, says Kristoff.

This article is supplied by bike website procycling.no!