Kristoffer main domestique has tested positive for cocaine use. The riders have been muzzled.
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Paolini was perhaps considered as the most important help the rider to Kristoff. To get success at the legendary final stage of the Tour de France, and asked to victory on the Champs Elysees, was Paolini considered absolutely necessary and an important contributor.
– For Kristoffer part get this dramatic consequences. Especially for the Champs-Élysées stage. We saw it last year, what he lacked in the leg. It’s going to be missing now, says the Eagles, who on Friday night had not had time to talk with Kristoff.
– My first thoughts that there is a personal problem that is unveiled. I think we can rule out that this has nothing with the team to do. But it is by no means desirable. It’s tragic and sad, says Eagle.
Katjusjas riders have been muzzled and are not allowed to comment on the case. Aftenposten was present when the team had dinner Friday night.– Do you speak tomorrow?
– Yes, then we might Law, was Kristoffer short comment to Aftenposten.
Straight home
Paolini is sent home by Katjusja and suspended indefinitely after the sample was taken on July 7.
– He is shocked. He did not expect this. He says he never uses cocaine. There are on’t something nice, but we sent him home to avoid all the fuss here. But he had to go home anyway, tells Team Katjusjas press officer Phillip Maertens.
Paolini told the positive sample clock 19.45 on Friday evening and was sent home immediately. The rest of the team was informed in a meeting around 20.20.
– No one said anything. All was quiet, and in shock. When the matter was already out, so some had already read about it, says press officer Maertens.
– Have you talked anything with Alexander Kristoff about this?
– I have not taken the time to speak with him after the meeting we had with the whole team. The only thing he has said is that he has received many calls.
Can be fired
Since Paolini denies using cocaine, has not Maertens some good explanation of how he may have gotten in its substance.
– He may have got it in in a way, but how? By smoking a cigarette outside or by drinking something out of a bar? I do not know, he does not know. But he is a cyclist in the Tour de France. He does not sit in a bar or smoker, says press manager.
After the regulations are Paolini suspended with immediate effect. Team Katjusja will not yet say what will happen next with the Italian.
– Let’s first see what happens with the B sample. However, with a positive B sample, he will usually get fired. But we’ll see. Maybe it pops up an explanation. We would not kick Luca. We are very pleased with him, said Maertens.
– We know nothing about the analysis. Whether it was much or microscopic traces, he added.
Katjusja is determined to cooperate with the anti-doping agency to to solve this issue.
– Extremely disappointing
– I was shocked. It is amazing that it goes ann. But right now I do not know so much more about this than you. For Katjusja which layer this is terrible and something that’s sure to affect them. Also for Kristoff this is tragic. He loses the best help the rider, and this will definitely weaken the possibility of his later in the Tour, says Dag Otto Lauritzen to Aftenbladet.
Tour des Fjords boss and former cyclist Roy Hegreberg is shocked by the news.
– It is extremely disappointing and incredibly sad. Cocaine and elite sport is not related in any way, says Hegreberg. He is also very surprised that this is happening with a Katusja rider.
– I know Katusja bit through Alexander Kristoff, and he has told that they are clear and visible in the layer of anti-doping work. When shocks me that individual riders do such things, he says
Very devastating
The positive doping test does not only affect Paolini, but the whole Katusja team. And Alexander Kristoff loses one of its foremost help riders.
– He has been a very important rider for Alexander, but he is strong enough to be able to assert themselves without Paolini believes Hegreberg. He believes, however all the fuss surrounding the positive test will be more devastating.
– This he must certainly answer questions about several days, so I felt very sorry for Alexander now. It destroys a lot for the whole team to get a case like this in your lap. They have worked long and hard to get a good reputation in terms of anti-doping work. Such a case during the Tour de France, is harmful to the reputation, says Hegreberg.
Have been suspected before
Paolini positive test is the first in this year’s Tour de France.
According doping regulations are not cocaine prohibited out of competition doping, but it is illegal in competition.
The Italian, who won the Gent-Wevelgem earlier this year, is “lieutenant” on Alexander Kristoff layer. He has solely been Alexander Kristoff opener in several key races and stages. For example, during last year’s Milan-Sanremo.
Paolini has previously been under suspicion for doping, and had his home ransacked as part of the investigation into Operazione Athena, but was not convicted of anything.
Read also: Tour de France riders murky doping past
It was the French L’Equipe that earlier Friday night announced that Paolini has tested positive for cocaine. The positive sample was submitted three days ago.
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