The presence of several former runners incriminated in various doping cases does not seem to pose a problem for Laurent Jalabert, which does not surprise some viewers.
The start of a new era is confirmed. Nine months after his surprise success last September, Tadej Pogacar has kept his property and thus won, at only 22 years old, his second Tour de France. A victory acquired at the end of a Grande Boucle which he crushed, winning with more than five minutes ahead of his runner-up and this despite a certain restraint during the last week.
This domination is obviously not without arousing suspicions, many followers, vaccinated by the preceding Armstrong, not hiding their skepticism. And the doubts are all the stronger as the pedigree of his entourage does not plead in his favor, foremost among which is Gianetti, his manager at UAE Team Emirates.
People with a sulphurous past, we can find them in almost all teams
The former Swiss rider, spent three days between life and death in 1998 for using PFC, a form of experimental and dangerous doping, was also at the helm of the Saunier-Duval team when Ricardo Riccò tested positive for EPO in 2008. What to say to Christian Prudhomme, the Tour director, that Mauro Gianetti was not “A paragon of virtue”.
And some see it as a no-brainer. Commenting on the Tour, Alexandre Pasteur also pointed out this rather sulphurous past. Words that were not to the taste of his sidekick Laurent Jalabert, who wanted to defend Tadej Pogacar and his entourage. ” There is nothing to say. Everything else is guesswork. And the president of the UCI himself indicated that all the visionaries concerning Tadej Pogacar were green. People with a sulphurous past, we can find, if we search, in almost all teams. Pogacar, there’s no point in suing him. His only flaw is being good, being young and being the leader of the Tour de France.« .
Words that did not fail to react.
@L_Jalabert has since gone blind ?…. Moreover, it is shameful that it is still on the public service paid with our money ?
– fabrice georges (@ fabricegeorges1) July 19, 2021
Again, I really like Jalabert but denial is not possible. He is completely delirious there …
— Christophe Cancel (@chriscancel) July 18, 2021
It’s a shame what jaja said !! The teams who make an effort, who fight properly, will be delighted …
— Valade Steph (@ValadeSteph) July 18, 2021
A cheater defended by a cheater.
– Stan smiçeuh (@smiceuh) July 18, 2021
People with a sulphurous past can be found in all teams.
Even at @francetvsport not true @L_Jalabert– Chris (@ Corsico66) July 18, 2021
Jalabert on Pogacar: “If there are cyclists who cheat, there are instances for that”.
Yes yes the same ones who never managed to catch Armstrong (500 negative tests) as well as you Jaja. What a cinema ? Well, they won’t spit in the soup…
— Victor Bastiat (@VictorBastiat) July 15, 2021
When Laurent Jalabert (pinned for doping) tries to defend Pogacar at all costs in front of guys like Offredo who have suffered from doping from guys like Armstrong… it’s to vomit! He should keep a low profile I think #TDF2021 #veloClub pic.twitter.com/iqP1WWB4Cy
– Grand Gibus (@StanPdM) July 14, 2021