Where is Nose?

By Susan Westemeyer

Tomasz Nose, neo-pro with Team Phonak, may or may not be suspended after the team may or may not have found doping products in his possession. The Swiss magazine BLICK reported that the team discovered drugs in his possession during the Tour of Georgia and released him.

Interviewed yesterday on German television during the Tour de Suisse, Director Sportif Rene Savary said that they came across the problem with Nose during "internal controls" and confirmed that the rider had been suspended - not fired - from the team.

But Phonak's Team Manager John Lelangue has denied the story - at least part of it. "Nose has not been fired and we continue to pay him every month," said Lelangue. "His contract runs out the end of the season." However, he admitted, "Nose is a rider who has had problems since the start of the season. He is difficult to integrate into the team."

Lelangue did not address the doping allegations and the team has not commented further when contacted by Cyclingnews.