Following his compatriot Steffen Kjærgaard’s confession yesterday that he doped while riding in support of Lance Armstrong at US Postal, Thor Hushovd says he is shocked by the rider’s news.
Speaking to Fædrelandsvennen while training in Belgium, Hushovd said, “It was a big surprise. Not only is he a former Norwegian top cyclist, but he's also a sports director.”
Hushovd said that he remembers suspicious chatter during cycling’s dark past but didn’t focus on it, as he didn’t have any evidence. The former world champion said it just drains energy thinking about the cheats.
“People around you are constantly confessing, and now a Norwegian too. I've always had the mindset that the Norwegians have not done anything. People are allowed to question, but I know what I've achieved in my career has been without taking shortcuts, and I'm very proud of it.
“Still, I know that those words do not mean anything now. We have seen again and again that people are lying until they can’t anymore, words does not mean anything any longer. I think this is very sad,” said Hushovd. He had previously spoken favourably about Lance Armstrong, who he considers a friend.
The BMC Racing team leader was crowned world champion in 2010 and has also won the points jersey and numerous stages in the Tour de France.
This season has been a tough one for him on the American team but doctors found answers in pinpointing a virus as explanation for his poor performance this season. Hushovd is already back in training in preparation for 2013.
He has identified Paris-Roubaix as his biggest goal for next year, but will also want to return to the Tour de France and chase stages there.