Kazakh skier allegedly arrested in doping raid in Austria
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has released its official statement regarding doping arrests made in Seefeld, Austria yesterday.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has released its official statement regarding doping arrests made in Seefeld, Austria yesterday, Sports.kz informs.
According to the statement, the Austrian police detained five cross-country athletes during a surprise raid under their national laws relating to doping. The athletes are from Austria, Estonia and Kazakhstan.
Later the Austrian Police held a press conference to brief the media on the situation. As part of the briefing, the authorities stated that the arrests were part of a wide, long-term investigation into a doping operation by a German Sports Medicine doctor involving multiple sports ‘on suspicion of commercial sport fraud and the use of illicit substances and methods of doping purposes'.
FIS confirmed it will work closely with the Austrian public authorities in view of yesterday's events and will follow up the cases and take the necessary actions in accordance with the FIS and World Anti-Doping Rules.
FIS will fulfill its mandate as the governing body to ensure that the integrity of the sport remains intact and to protect all clean athletes," the statement reads.
Mass media reported that at least five athletes and two other people were allegedly arrested by the Austrian Police, including Estonian Andreas Veerpalu and Kazakhstani Alexey Poltoranin. Both were no-show at the Men's 15km race on Wednesday.
The Kazakhstan Skiing Federation reiterated it is against any illegal methods and use of illicit substances. It also vowed to support Alexey Poltoranin until he is formally accused of substance abuse.
Source: Kazinform News Agency
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After yesterday solid success and well-deserved win in the bunch sprint in Stage 2 of the race, today Alessandro Romele once again proved to be the strongest at the finish line, winning Stage 3 in a sprint from a small group of leaders. This result allowed Romele to move up in the General Classification and to finish the race as the runner-up.
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Today, we wanted to race aggressively aiming the final GC podium and why not to win another stage. With 35 km to go the team did a perfect job pushing full gas on the last climb to launch Davide’s attack on the top of climb. I was able to follow the small chasing group behind, but when he got caught on the downhill, so we had to collaborate with other guys in the group, trying to keep our advantage. Well, finally, we got caught by the second chasing group with some 15 km to go, but I saw another opportunity and attacked again with three more guys. I think this move looked pretty good and we opened a gap, however, I was feeling like those guys were faster than me, so I started disorganizing the group, to provide a chance to Alessandro who stayed well placed in the group behind our shoulders. In the last 300 meters I saw the chase coming back at the full speed, so I launched the sprint to make a small lead-out for Alessandro. He did it perfectly and we got another nice win here in Rhodes. What a nice day for us!", - added one of today’s heroes Nicolas Vinokurov.
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We had a clear goal for these races in Greece - to try to get a win and to fight for the podiums in the General Classification. Now, all the goals are achieved as we won two stages, took a second and a third places in the overall, got a number of stage podiums and Top-10s. I am really happy with the way we spent this day, it was a key stage for the General Classification and the team played it perfectly. We made a huge selection on the climb and tried to create something afterwards. In the end of the day, we could win another stage and move up in the overall standings, also winning the team’s classification. We can be proud with our days here in Greece, but we won’t stop. The season just started, and we are aiming high in our next races", - said Dmitri Sedoun, Astana Qazaqstan Development Team Sports Director.
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Tour of Rhodes. Alessandro Romele claims first victory in Stage Two
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The rider of Astana Qazaqstan Development Team Alessandro Romele won Stage Two of the Tour of Rhodes in Greece, Team’s official website reports.
The second stage of the Tour of Rhodes with a distance of 158 kilometers started in Rhodes and finished in Kalithies. Alessandro Romele was the strongest in the bunch sprint and achieved the team’s first victory in the 2024 season.
Alessandro Romele about his first victory for Astana Qazaqstan Development Team:
It was a tough race from the start till the very finish. We as a team worked perfectly and controlled the situation. We were always altogether and in front, which helped us to save energy for the final where we were together with Nico and Alex. My first intention was to actually do the lead out for Nico but with 100 meters to go I saw that I can continue further. I am very glad to win and I hope we can do a good job tomorrow as well".
Team Sports Director Dmitri Sedoun about today’s victory:
We arrived to Tour of Rhodes with the intention to demonstrate good results, in the past days we were always active and were looking for a win and today we achieved it. Everything went according to our plan today, Alessandro, Nicolas (Vinokurov) and Davide (Toneatti) finished in the Top-10. So, our plan worked well and the riders did a good job, but tomorrow is another day and we are going to fight for the highest result once again".
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