‘In cycling there is 90 per cent doping,’ says Stefan Denifl’s lawyer
The Austrian is on trial after admitting to blood doping
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Stefan Denifl’s defence lawyer has claimed "in cycling there is 90 per cent doping" as the Austrian pro stands trial over his own blood doping.
Denifl, who formerly raced for Aqua Blue Sport and IAM Cycling, is on trial in Austria accused of serious sporting fraud after he used the banned performance enhancing method.
The 32-year-old, winner of a stage of the Vuelta a España in 2018, is accused of misleading sponsors and organisers by doping between 2014 and 2018. Denifl has been banned by the UCI and has admitted blood doping, but denies the fraud charge, Austrian news website Tirol.Orf (opens in new tab) reports.
Speaking in court, Denifl said “I am not a criminal” and added “I wouldn’t have got a contract without doping.”
Denifl was implicated in Operation Aderlass, a police investigation into blood doping in Germany and Austria that originated in endurance skiing and eventually hit the cycling world.
Raids by police in February 2019 threw up evidence linking cyclists to the scandal, with Denifl reportedly confessing to police that he had used the prohibited method after being arrested. Denifl was not riding with a team at the time, having stepped away from a contract with CCC Team in December for “personal reasons.”
Fellow Austrian Georg Preidler also quit WorldTour team Groupama-FDJ in March last year after he too was implicated in the long-running doping scheme which has seen a number of other riders and former professionals provisionally banned.
Both Preidler and Denifl have been banned for four years by the UCI.
Preidler is also charged with sport fraud over his doping and is accused of defrauding his team after blood doping and regularly taking growth hormones from the 2017 Giro d’Italia up until he left the squad in early 2019.
He has admitted blood doping but denies ever taking performance enhancing substances.
Last month he told a court in Austria he became involved in doping “out of pure curiosity.”
The investigation centres around the German doctor Mark Schmidt, with whom Denifl communicated with using a prepaid mobile phone from 2016.
Schmidt has been charged by German authorities in connection with the doping scandal but he has yet to comment on the allegations.
Denifl’s lawyer told the court: “He ruined his health and sometimes ran races at the risk of his life.
“In cycling there is 90 per cent doping. There is no super clean athlete.”
According to the prosecution, Denifl’s doping caused damages of around €580,000 (£490,000) in bonuses and team fees.
The case, being held at the regional court in Innsbruck, Austria, was adjourned until a later date so more witnesses can be interviewed.
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
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.
-
-
Gravel races near you: a guide to the 2023 gravel season
Looking to get graveling? We've got you covered with events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Pfeiffer Georgi wins Brugge-De Panne solo after aggressive race splits in crosswinds
Brit claims her first WorldTour win by out-foxing some of the fastest riders in the world
By Vern Pitt • 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