While he was recently suspended as a precautionary measure for anomalies in his biological passport and dismissed by the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team, Oier Lazkano claimed to have nothing to reproach himself for.
Oier Lazkano launches the counterattack. This Thursday, the International Cyclist Union (UCI) announced the precautionary suspension of the Spanish rider for “unexplained anomalies in his biological passport”. Suspicions of doping which have already cost the native of Vitoria-Gasteiz dearly.
Indeed, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team very quickly announced that it had ended its collaboration with the former Spanish champion when his former employer, the Movistar team, broke away. Through its parent company Abarca Sports, the latter has assured that it is “highly likely that a prohibited substance or method was used” but also that it is “unlikely that passport results are due to any other cause”.
Lazkano: “I am a clean athlete”
Silent since the start of this affair, Oier Lazkano finally broke his silence this Sunday through a press release sent to the Spanish daily As
in which he defends himself from any suspicious behavior. “I have never used doping substances or prohibited methods,” he said on this occasion. I am a clean athlete and a person of integrity. » Assuring that he wants to demonstrate “determination and transparency” pour “defend (one’s) name and (one’s) professional dignity”the Basque runner ensures that his career “was built on effort, dedication, honesty and daily work”. A message in which he assures that he has full confidence “in the truth and sporting justice”.
Lazkano ready to plead his case
The Spanish rider now intends to shed light on this affair “by any means necessary” in order to convince him of his innocence. If this case is now in the hands of the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal, the precedents in the matter do not plead in favor of Oier Lazkano. Indeed, the most recent example remains that of French runner Franck Bonnamour who was recently suspended for four years for, again, anomalies in his biological passport. The Spanish rider is thus warned, his file will have to be solid to escape suspension, he who is now without a contract for next season.
