Andreas Klöden (Astana) stirred controversy with an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Andreas Klöden's interview in yesterday's Gazzetta dello Sport continues to make waves. According to the Italian newspaper, he said that he has cut his ties with Germany, and that he would like to ride in the Olympic Games in Beijing, "but I won't do it for Germany." In a statement issued by his Team Astana Tuesday evening, the German rider, who lives in Switzerland claimed that his remarks were misunderstood.
"For the moment I am the best German time trialist. Of course I want to represent my country," Klöden said. "It is not because cycling is not so popular any more in Germany, that I am not proud to defend the colours of my country. If I am selected, of course I will go. I told the journalist that, until now, the German federation never contacted me about the Olympics."
His remarks concerning doping testing sparked further controversy, but he claimed that also these remarks were misrepresented.(SW)
