ANDY SCHLECK HAS insisted his brother Frank ‘has never taken anything illegal’ after he tested positive to a banned diuretic on Saturday.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) confirmed on Tuesday Frank’s test revealed unusual levels of Xipamide, prompting his team, RadioShack-Nissan, to immediately withdraw him from the Tour de France.
“This is a huge blow for us because Frank has never taken anything illegal,” Andy Schleck told Le Quotidien.
Andy, awarded the 2010 Tour de France victory after Alberto Contador was stripped of the title due to a failed drug test, missed this year’s race due to a spinal injury, but trains regularly with Frank and subtly conceded fears he too might be implicated.
“I swear on my mother’s head. You know, we train together all the time, we are preparing together all the time, we race together all the time, even if it’s a little less true this season,” he said.
“And I can tell you and you repeat that we have never taken anything.
“Now we have to wait but if the B sample is positive, the complaint is ready to be filed. Now, you just wait for further developments. But we are determined to defend ourselves.”
Andy said he was disillusioned with cycling but was trying to help his ‘shocked’ brother, who has suggested ‘poisoning’ might be at play.
“Today I can tell you that I am disgusted with cycling,” Andy said.
“I love this sport more than anything but now it’s really hard for me and for the whole family.”
Frank has asked for testing of his B-Sample after the World Anti-Doping Agency detected the presence of the banned diuretic.
