DOHA: Belgian legend Eddy Merckx (pictured) was ‘shocked’ to learn about the judgment in the Lance Armstrong doping scandal that stunned the world of cycling at the end of 2012.
Late last year, United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles, saying the 41-year-old was guilty of doping offences that went undetected for more than a decade.
In a brief chat prior to the start of the Ladies Tour of Qatar, 67-year-old Merckx said the Armstrong scandal was bad for the image of cycling but the game would rebuild its status as a top global sport.
Excerpts from a chat with the four-time Tour de France winner:
Question: Were you shocked when the Lance Armstrong decision was announced?
Answer: Yes, sure. We did not expect that. It is like that. I have nothing (more) to say on this. I was very shocked. I didn’t expect this.
Question: As a cyclist yourself, did all of this come to you as a surprise that someone cheated on the cycling fans?
Answer: It is very bad for cycling.
Question: Do you think he should be allowed back into the sport?
Answer: You know what? I don’t want to speak on Armstrong. Sorry. It is bad for cycling. And it is a sad thing.
Question: Were you shocked that this cheating episode was not detected for so long?
Answer: Yes, I cannot understand because he underwent 500 tests and they were all negatives. Maybe he took small quantities.
Question: How much hurt are you from within after this scandal?
Answer: It is very bad for cycling. I didn’t expect this. I am sad.
Question: How can cycling keep away such cheats from your sport?
Answer: Testing (is the answer). Cycling does more (drugs) testing than any other sport. So more tests will help us.
Question: Whenever there’s a winner at a cycling event, we’d look at them with suspicion. Do you think that would be the case?
Answer: No. I don’t think so. What happened (in Armstrong’s case) was a long time ago.
Question: Do you think young kids would take to cycling once again?
Answer. Why not? First of all, you need talent and then you need to train a lot. And then you become a champion. (Some) sponsors may have pulled out but what can I say (on their behalf).
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