Just over five weeks after his career soared with a second place finish in Paris-Roubaix, French rider Sebastien Turgot is looking at a possible lengthy ban plus dismissal from his Europcar team over whereabouts violations.
L’Equipe reported today that the Frenchman had three ‘no shows’ for out of competition tests over the past year and a half, something which could see him banned for up to two years as a result. Under WADA rules, cyclists have to provide details of where they will be for one hour each day so that they can be tested under the so-called ADAMS system.
His Europcar team manager Jean-Rene Bernaudeau made his displeasure clear. "He's an idiot. He's indefensible. He has been incredibly careless," he told Reuters.
"He knew the rules. We completely support the ADAMS system.”
In recent years French cycling has been regarded by some as cleaner than that of other nations, with a scarcity of results being attributed by some to what they said was a different culture.
However there have been several high profile cases this year that have cast a shadow on that. In January track sprinter Gregor Bauge was handed a backdated ban over whereabouts violations and was stripped of the world title he won last year, then the following month Yoann Offredo (FDJ BigMat) was suspended for a year over similar ADAMS failings.
Also, legendard female rider Jeannie Longo has been under a cloud due to doping purchases by her husband and coach Patrice Ciprelli.
Turgot’s problems are the latest in that regrettable series, and while the whereabouts violations may be proof of no more than poor self-organisation rather than an indication of doping, his reputation has taken a knock.
The 28 year old is yet to speak about the issue. He has already appeared before the French Cycling Federation and is awaiting a decision.
Also see: Europcar backs Turgot and contests claims of three violations