Trek-Segafredo 'not wasting time' discussing André Cardoso's positive drugs test
Team boss says the positive test won't affect the way they approach the race
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Trek-Segafredo have their eyes set firmly on the start of the Tour de France on Saturday, rather than discussing André Cardoso's positive test for EPO, according to team boss Luca Guercilena.
"We’re not wasting time discussing it [Cardoso's positive test]" the team manager said less than 24 hours before the race's opening time trial in Düsseldorf. "We’ll be focussing on the race and trying to get the best result.
"When a case like this happens I need to give clear lines on what the approach should be, but as it is now in cycling everyone has the same opinion about doping."
>>> 'I'm a clean athlete': André Cardoso denies using EPO in statement
Star rider Alberto Contador, who the team will be supporting in a bid for a third Tour de France title, said that he was surprised and disappointed that Cardoso, who would have been a key domestiques in the mountains, had tested positive for EPO in an out-of-competition test on June 18.
"It was a big surprise," the 34-year-old said. "I never imagined that something like that would happen in this team.
"The whole team is very clear about this sort of thing. We have a policy of zero tolerance about doping but we have to wait until the end of the process. You can’t control everything within a team."
>>> Former team-mate gives forthright opinion on André Cardoso's EPO positive
From a sporting perspective, Guercilena said that the doping incident would not have an impact on the way that the team approached the race, and the roles of the different riders.
"We had 12 riders ready, as other teams have too, so to substitute a rider is not problematic because we have other riders ready.
"In our case we’re lucky that we’ve got a great replacement in Haimar Zubeldia, who’s one of the most experienced guys in the peloton. It is clear that the case hurts us a lot but as I said we know what we’re doing and we know what our line is so we will turn the page."
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
All the 2023 kits: EF Education-EasyPost share latest collaboration with Rapha
American WorldTour team become latest to release their new 2023 kit, here's the rest
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Trek-Segafredo win the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta team time trial
Elisa Longo Borghini led the American squad home and will take the leader's red jersey into the remaining four stages
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
American cyclist Jackson ’Huntley’ Nash handed lifetime ban after doping violations
USADA hand down penalty after multiple offences discovered by investigation
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Fred Wright ‘gutted’ but still smiling after second place on Tour de France stage 13
Londoner missed out to classics specialist Mads Pedersen
By Vern Pitt • Last updated
-
No Covid positives at Tour de France after testing, 165 riders head into second week
All riders return negative covid tests done on Sunday evening
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I just come out at every race swinging': Simon Clarke achieves childhood dream with Tour de France stage win after winter of contract fears
Australian was without a team coming into the season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
World champion Balsamo takes her second stage at the Giro Donne
The race’s third sprint finish saw the same three women contest for honours in Reggio Emilia
By Owen Rogers • Published