Words that will make people talk.
In the columns of
Ouest-France
, the former French rider Stéphane Heulot had strong words against the 2020 winner, Tadej Pogacar.
“Honestly, I haven't watched the Tour since Sunday and the climb of the Grand-Colombier (victory for Tadej Pogacar), he said of the Slovenian victory on the Tour on Sunday.
I can't do it anymore, in fact… There are things that are quite easy to assess, in terms of performance, anyway.
I find it hard to understand how a 75 kg runner can climb a pass at breakneck speed and maintain his climb thereafter.
In terms of rate of climb, we saw things that were not possible, either, for some ... I think we have taken it a step further.
Because we are perhaps on chemical doping, but also electrical ... You see the "emoticon" with the urge to vomit, and well I feel that, it disgusts me ... "
"That people like that (Gianetti), or like others, are still in cycling today, it's unthinkable (...) It's as if tomorrow, Al Capone was Minister of Justice"
Tour de France.
"I don't watch anymore, it disgusts me", said the former yellow jersey Stéphane Heulot https://t.co/2uPvkEUCOc
- Ouest-France (@OuestFrance) September 20, 2020
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Wearing the yellow jersey in 1996 on the Tour, Stephane Heulot also spoke about the personality of Mauro Gianetti, the manager of Team Jumbo-Visma, who placed Tadej Pogacar on the highest step of the podium on Sunday on the Champs- Elysées.
The two men were team members in 1998 under the colors of the Française des Jeux.
And he keeps special memories of it.
“That people like that (Gianetti), or like others, are still in cycling today, it's unthinkable, he admits with reference to the exclusion of the Tour from the Saunier-Duval formation in 2008 due to the positive test of Riccardo Ricco, with Mauro Gianetti in charge of this team.
It is a real fault.
In my opinion, we will never be able to change the system if we do not change the men.
Doping will be there as long as people are steadfast.
It's as if tomorrow, Al Capone was Minister of Justice… How to get out of all this when 80% of Jumbo-Visma's staff come from Rabobank and from the time Michael Rasmussen?
No, that's not possible… Fortunately, some guys have changed, a lot of guys have changed, but there are still cheaters unfortunately, and we have to be aware of it. "
Statements that are sure to fuel the discussions in the wake of Pogacar's success.
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