Steegmans given ultimatum on Katusha anti-doping charter

Steegmans hasn't been as successful at Katusha as he was with Quick Step

Steegmans hasn't been as successful at Katusha as he was with Quick Step (Image credit: Tom De Meyer)

Belgian Gert Steegmans has been given until Monday to sign the Katusha team's anti-doping agreement. The sprinter has so far refused to put his name to the document, which states that riders will give up five times their annual salary to the team if they test positive, La Dernier Heure reported Sunday.

If he does not sign the document, he will forfeit his participation in the Tour de France.

Several of the riders objected to the new contract, which was rolled out after Austrian Christian Pfannberger tested positive for EPO earlier this year. Riders had just voiced their objections when another from the team, Antonio Colom, was declared positive for EPO.

Robbie McEwen was one of the riders to question at the document.  After having his lawyers review the deal, he signed his name stating emphatically that he is anti-doping.

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