Liquigas caught by surprise with Beltran news

Courtesy Mikkel Condé, cycling123

The Liquigas team was caught by surprise with the news of its rider Manuel Beltran's non-negative test for EPO. Despite the AFLD's announcement that all of the riders would be informed of irregular values in a communiqué last weekend, Liquigas press agent Paolo Barbieri said that the team received no such notification.

"Believe me, was a big, big shock when we found the police at the hotel door. And after, when they asked for Triki, the shock was double. As you know he has great career and in the cycling world he is well know as a professional rider. We really hope that the contra-analysis will be negative," Barbieri said.

"For us it was important to save the image of our other riders - they're clean and want to win without any jokes. I also think that in the last couple of days the guys have already shown their reaction, working in front of the peloton and with Nibali and Kreuziger going for the victory. You'll see a great Liquigas team in next days."