Samples taken from former French pro cyclist Laurent Jalabert during the 1998 Tour de France have . While the tests were carried out in 2004, they were done on anonyous samples. Now, the French Senate has authorized that the names of the cyclists be released to the public.
Jalabert’s doping history comes as no surprise. He was part of the ONCE team, led by Manolo Saiz, recently involved in the Operaci贸n Puerto investigation. Last year, the rider affectionately known as JaJa said he couldn’t firmly deny doping while testifying before the French Senate.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 firmly say that I鈥檝e never taken anything illegal. I鈥檝e effectively used products when it was necessary, in case of lesions or other injuries,” . “At ONCE, in the evening after the stages, the doctor took care of us, for our recovery, but we didn鈥檛 really know what it was. A relationship with doctors based on mutual trust was established, so we didn鈥檛 ask questions. We were treated, I鈥檝e never said otherwise. Were we doped? I believe we weren鈥檛 鈥 鈥
During his career, Jalabert won the Vuelta a Espana as well as the pints classification in all three grand tours.