The 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans has admitted to Australia's SBS Cycling Central that he met Michele Ferrari once in the past, but says doping was never discussed. The former road world champion, who started out as a mountain biker, said the meeting was set up over a decade ago because he wanted to switch to the road discipline and manager Tony Rominger recommended he meet Ferrari to test his ability.
While Evans was on route to his Tour de France victory last year, Ferrari posted the details of the meeting on his website.
Evans has responded to the claims in an email to Cycling Central and wrote, "I once completed a test of 2 x 20-30min supervised hill repetitions. Separated by a 4-hour ride which I completed solo. I have never seen or had contact before or after this test.
“I was recommended to take a test by my manager Tony Rominger to understand if I had the capabilities to race on the road. I took the test as Mr Ferrari described on his website. Mr Ferrari briefly explained the results to me and the meeting was over.
“There was never any discussion of doping (with Dr Ferrari) or any sign of anything illegal,” Evans said.
“My only motive at the time – 2001 as I recall – was to understand my capabilities as a road rider. At that time, Mr Ferrari’s opinion was very highly regarded by teams and team managers, and therefore helpful for me to gain opportunities with road teams.”
Ferrari is the doctor at the heart of the Lance Armstrong saga and is accused of administering banned drugs to Armstrong during his seven Tour de France victories. The details were revealed in the US Anti-Doping Agencies' 1000 page “Reasoned Decision” dossier on which the International Cycling Union will make a ruling today.