Bahrain-Merida fire rider and sports director over Operation Aderlass doping scandal
The UCI handed out sanctions after information was passed on by Austrian authorities


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Bahrain-Merida have fired a rider and a sports director after they were banned by the UCI for their links with the Operation Aderlass blood doping scandal.
Slovenian rider Kristijan Koren and his compatriot Borut Božič, a former pro turned DS, were both suspended by the team earlier this year after the UCI published names of riders believed to be involved in the Austrian and German doping ring.
Earlier this week, cycling’s international governing body announced that it had banned Koren and Božič for two-years after the UCI received information from Austrian law enforcement authorities.
>>> New date set for Dr Richard Freeman’s medical tribunal over mystery testosterone delivery
Koren was sanctioned for using a prohibited method or substance in 2011 and 2012, while riding for Liquigas-Cannondale, while Božič was banned for an anti-doping violation in 2012 during his time with Astana.
Bahrain-Merida have terminated both riders’ contracts and pointed out the violations were committed before the team existed.
A statement from the outfit said: “We note the UCI sanctions for Mr Kristijan Koren and Mr Borut Božič, relating to offences committed in 2011 and 2012, prior to the establishment of our team.
“Consistent with Bahrain-Merida’s zero tolerance policy, Messrs Koren and Božič were both immediately suspended at the time of the UCI’s initial notification and their contracts subsequently terminated.
“We have no further comment on this matter.”
Koren, 32, had been riding the 2019 Giro d’Italia in support of team leader Vincenzo Nibali, but was pulled from the race ahead of stage five after he was named as a rider linked with the doping scandal.
He joined Bahrain at the start of the 2018 season from Cannondale-Drapac.
Božič had retired as a racer at the end of the 2018 season but stayed on with his Bahrain-Merida team as a sports director.
The bans are the result of Operation Aderlass, a police investigation into blood doping in the Nordic skiing World Championships in Seefeld, Austria.
Police raided 16 properties and arrested nine people earlier this year during operations in Seefeld and Erfurt, Germany, and 40 blood bags were seized in the process.
A number of skiers were arrested and it soon emerged that top tier cyclists were also involved.
>>> Judgment in Liège-Bastogne-Liège bribery case involving Alexandr Vinokourov delayed
Former Groupama-FDJ rider Georg Preidler and former Aqua Blue Sport rider Stefan Denifl have both been banned from the sport for four years and face charges of commercially serious sports fraud. Preidler’s ban is provisional as he is contesting the case.
The Aderlass scandal has also resulted in the banning of retired sprinter Alessandro Petacchi, after authorities passed information to the UCI that revealed he had committed an anti-doping rule violation between 2012 and 2013.
Petacchi, who retired in 2015, denies any wrongdoing but has been banned for two years.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Shimano extends Hollowtech crankset inspection programme to Europe amid injury fears
760,000 Hollowtech road cranks recalled in USA and Canada originally
By Adam Becket Published
-
In memoriam: Tadej Pogačar's white jersey domination
After 81 days in the young rider's jersey at Grand Tours, the Slovenian has grown up
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jumbo-Visma rider Michel Hessmann suspended after positive anti-doping test
The 22-year-old's out-of-competition sample detected the presence of diuretics
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Former British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman given four-year doping ban
Freeman chose not to defend himself before the anti-doping panel
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We are not cheaters' says Belgian rider Shari Bossuyt after anti-doping positive
The Canyon-SRAM rider tested positive for Letrozole in an anti-doping control in March
By Tom Davidson Published
-
"Failing that drug test was the best thing that had ever happened to me"
Abuse victim and disgraced cycling champion Geneviève Jeanson finds solace in return to bike racing
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
29 cases of alleged doping recorded in cycling in 2022, but only one at WorldTour
Most came from semi-professional ranks, MPCC finds
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW LIVE: B & B Hotels, team expected to sign Mark Cavendish, collapses; Bahrain Victorious teases new kit; Chris Froome warns of the dangers of Covid-19; L39ion of Los Angeles announce 2023 roster and Tom Pidcock's cyclo-cross calendar confirmed
All the news that's fit to print in the world of cycling
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
By Ryan Dabbs Last updated