Georg Preidler's team manager on blood doping scandal: 'You have to keep your eyes open'
Preidler and fellow Austrian Stefan Denifl have been implicated in the unfolding investigation
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Cycling must keep its eyes open for doping, says Groupama-FDJ manager Marc Madiot after the case involving one of his riders.
Austrian Georg Preidler sent an e-mail resignation to the team after admitting that he extracted his own blood with the intention of doping.
The Preidler news came a day after former Aqua Blue Sport rider Stefan Denifl , stage winner in the Vuelta a España, reportedly admitted to blood doping in the wake of the 'Operation Aderlass' raids in Austria and Germany.
"The present situation confirms to us once again that we must remain vigilant, involved, that's what we are modestly trying to do within our team," Madiot told newspaper Ouest France. (opens in new tab)
>>> Partner of British endurance rider Mike Hall highlights ‘police failures’ after his death
"We will continue in this direction, and as Roger Legeay, president of the Movement for a Credible Cycling, says you always have to keep your eyes open. This requires a continuous and ongoing commitment from the teams and authorities in the fight against doping."
Preidler had blood extracted twice in 2018 to be re-infused at a later date.
Groupama-FDJ said it is collaborating with the authorities involved.
"I trust the authorities to carry out this fight, we have already made a lot of progress, but obviously, there is still some work to be done. I sincerely hope that it will be done in the coming years.
The 28-year-old Preidler joined Groupama-FDJ for the 2018 season. Madiot signed him to help cyclists like Thibaut Pinot in the Grand Tours. In 2018, he won a stage in the Tour of Poland and his third national time trial title.
"It's a huge disappointment because I had a lot of confidence in this cyclist. Unfortunately, this trust was betrayed," Madiot said.
"This is part of the hazards of life in a team, of life in general. I hope that he will be able to understand the consequences of his mistake, and will be fully involved in shedding light on this matter."
Preidler told the Austrian newspaper (opens in new tab) Kronen Zeitung (opens in new tab) he "couldn't live with this secret any longer" and he handed himself in to police in Graz, Austria. Afterwards, he contacted the team.
>>> Former Aqua Blue Sport rider Stefan Denifl ‘confesses to blood doping in police interview’
"The past few days have been a nightmare. I didn't know if I would get found out. I didn't know whether this doping doctor had concealed everything," Preidler said.
He said his successes were clean and added "it was the biggest mistake of my life."
His former team boss Madiot said: "In his e-mail, Georg informed me of his resignation with immediate effect. I validated that soon after.
"Georg is no longer part of our team as of yesterday (Sunday, March 3).
"I think, I hope, that the justice will now do its job. I am sure that Georg will assist in the best way to resolve this matter. And above all, to understand how we have come to such a situation."
Thank you for reading 10 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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Marlen Reusser time trials to Gent-Wevelgem victory with 40km solo attack
SD Worx rider takes wrong turn but still wins by almost three minutes
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Christophe Laporte triumphs at Gent-Wevelgem in dominant Jumbo-Visma one-two
The Frenchman broke free with Wout van Aert with 52km to go
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
-
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
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
By Jonny Long • Published
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long • Published