Bicycle Racing News and Opinion
Tuesday, September 23, 2014

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Czech Olympic Committee Clears Roman Kreuziger

Tinkoff-Saxo rider Roman Kreuziger has been cleared by the Czech Olympic committee of any problems with his blood passport that had arisen during his 2011 and 2012 season while riding for Astana. Kreuziger had been allowed to continue racing pending further investigation and explanations to be provided by the rider.

Still, understanding the public relations sensitivities involved, Tinkoff-Saxo pulled the rider from its racing calender. Both the UCI and the World Anti-Doping Agency can appeal the Czech committee's decision, but neither have announced their intentions on the case. Further, Tinkoff-Saxo has not announced any races that they have selected Kreuziger to enter.

Tinkoff-Saxo sent out this press release regarding the matter:

Tinkoff-Saxo's rider was found not guilty for the alleged abnormalities in his Biological Passport Profile. The team is very happy that Kreuziger has been cleared by the Judicial system of the Czech Olympic Committee and that he is now eligible to resume racing.

Tinkoff-Saxo has been informed that the Czech Olympic Committee has found Kreuziger not guilty for the fluctuation in his Biological Passport Profile. Kreuziger was able to fully explain said value in his defense; the Czech Olympic Committee has stated that "Roman Kreuziger is not in violation of anti-doping regulations." This is a clear indication that the decision not to suspend him from competition made earlier by the team had solid grounds and the support shown to Roman has been proven to be justified and correct before a Court of Justice.

The team is very happy that Kreuziger has been cleared by the Judicial system of the Czech Olympic Committee and that he is is now eligible to resume training. According to Stefano Feltrin, CEO of Tinkoff-Saxo, "it is now of great importance that UCI make its next decisions and take any eventual actions on this matter swiftly. It is of paramount importance - in the interest of all involved parties in particular and cycling in general - that the whole procedure be brought to a final and definitive conclusion in the shortest time possible. Tinkoff-Saxo congratulates Roman and his defense team on this well-deserved result."

Roman Kreuziger winning the 2013 Amstel Gold Race. Photo ©Sirotti

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