More Belgian doping claim denials

By Susan Westemeyer

The Freiburg, Germany, University Clinic has rejected claims from former Team Telekom soigneur Jef D'Hondt that the clinic provided EPO to team riders in the early to mid 1990s. "The University Clinic decidedly rejects the claims made in Belgium by a former soigneur," Dr. Eva Marie Wagner of the Clinic told Cyclingnews. "The accusations do not have any basis."

Similarly, Team Milram responded to a request for a statement by Erik Zabel concerning the charges with the statement, "As the incident does not concern Team Milram there is currently no indication to take a stand." D'Hondt alleged that Zabel tried EPO once but then refused its use.

CSC Team Manager Bjarne Riis, who was also named in the charges, has also said that D'Hondt "has no validation for the allegations he is making."