It is not a surprise, the Tour de France of Jonas Vingegaard revives suspicions of doping.
Even on Sunday, before his two fantastic rides, the 26-year-old Dane had to swear to his probity, considering it healthy that questions be asked of him on the subject, “otherwise it will happen again” in professional cycling.
After his fourth place on Wednesday in Courchevel, the yellow jersey was again questioned at a press conference. He offered this strong response, published by AFP:
“I understand it’s hard to trust cycling with what’s happened in the past. But I can tell you with my hand on my heart: I don’t take anything and I wouldn’t take anything that I wouldn’t give to my daughter. »
In the absence of tangible elements, the ex-cyclist Antoine Duchesne reserves his judgment.
“I prefer not to advance on these subjects”, first warned the ex-member of Groupama-FDJ, who disputed his second Tour de France last year. “I don’t like people talking about that. I believe that [Vingegaard] is a very big runner, extremely serious. Until proven otherwise, nothing can be insinuated. »
For his part, Hugo Houle is not offended that the issue of doping comes back on the carpet. “It’s always the same question: what is a humanly possible performance? “, first posed the Quebecer of Israel-Premier Tech after his 43e place in Courchevel.
Is he just more talented than us, and that’s how it is? I’m sure there are people who have had suspicions about me because they say I performed too well when I was racing in Canada. But when I go to the Tour de France, I’m not an impressive person. You always have to put things into perspective. What are you comparing yourself to? What is possible, not possible?
Hugo Houle
The stage winner last summer refuses to fall into suspicion.
“Saying someone is cheating is the easy way to find an excuse not to be on the same level. But it is sure that it brings questions, to know why it is so strong. Maybe Jumbo has reasons to explain it. [L’équipe est] at the forefront in terms of nutrition, equipment. Personally, I have no reason to explain why it is so strong. »