Michael Rogers at the 2007 Amstel Gold (Image credit: Shane Stokes)
By Susan Westemeyer
A "furious yet confused" Michael Rogers has denied being involved in doping, in response to the recent confessions by former team-mate Patrik Sinkewitz. "I think anyone in the cycling world and most of the Australian general public know that I'm an advocate for doing things the right way and I think truth will prevail," he told the Canberra Times.
"I'm confident that I'll come through this on the other side perfectly, but in the meantime there's articles being written about me all around the world," the 27 year-old Australian continued. "It's very damaging to my profile and my sporting future. It's not a very good position to be in.
"I haven't actually heard anything official directly from the mouth of Patrik Sinkewitz or his lawyer, so for me it's premature to respond directly to him in the press because we don't fully understand the extent of the accusations," Rogers said. "It it's true, I will be very disappointed in him. If it is true, I'll be making some very strong claims to put the record straight."
Rogers has received support from team manager Bob Stapleton, who took over the team in January of this year and implemented new policies at the team. "Rogers was part of a very strictly controlled anti-doping programme in 2007, and he has complied entirely with our own anti-doping rules," he said.
The T-Mobile rider also commented on the 2008 Tour de France, saying that the lack of a prologue and of time bonuses will make it "a tighter race. It will be a bit more exciting for the viewers. A little bit stressful for us, but I think for the viewers it will be great.
"But I don't think it's going to make a big, big difference, but obviously for the first week it will for the big sprinters. But I think once the race goes into the mountains, that's when the time gaps will still open up."
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