Andreas Klöden doesn't want to be congratulated on possibly moving up to a second place in the Tour de France. "I don't want to win the Tour this way," he said, adding, "If the B-sample substantiates the results, then I will feel cheated."
Klöden and former teammate Erik Zabel talked to the German press agency dpa before the Nacht von Hannover race Friday. According to Klöden, "Out of 1000 athletes, there are a few black sheep. We have a good control system in cycling."
"The grace period is over," said Zabel. "It can't go on this way. A lot has to happen." He also urged the riders to not just concentrate on the Tour de France. "The riders shouldn't just pick out a few races, more of them should ride the one-day classics." He also recommended that the Tour organizers take the riders more into consideration when planning the route. "You don't need to have three difficult Alpine stages in a row. The winner also doesn't have to ride 41 km an hour. 39 km an hour is good, too."
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