Speed, stamina or steroids?

ONCE: 'We have never had a positive blood or urine test'

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Posted: Monday August 03, 1998 02:35 PM

Terrados admitted the substances found by police were banned, but he claims they were for the non-racing staff of the team AP

MADRID, Spain (CNN/SI) -- Once upon a time the Tour de France was a test of strength, speed and stamina -- now it has been tainted by a drug controversy.

Since the scandal broke in this year's tour, anyone who is associated with someone who has come under suspicion has seemingly been tarred rightly or wrongly with the same brush.

ONCE chief Manuel Saiz insisted Monday that his Spanish team have never taken banned drugs.

He also supported team doctor Nicolas Terrados, who was placed under investigation last week on doping charges after police raided the ONCE hotel during the Tour de France.

"If there's a team that represents morality in this world then it's us," Saiz said. "We have never had a positive blood or urine test.

"We don't have the slightest doubt about the legality or professionalism of our riders. At the moment they are all preparing for next month's Tour of Spain."

For his part, Terrados acknowledged that banned substances were found by the police but insisted they were normal medicines for use by the non-racing staff of the team.

"In the team bus, and in my personal baggage, there were medicines, some of which could be beneficial [to riders] and are on the French list of banned substances.

"At a meeting of doctors on the tour we were advised to get rid of such items but I decided I couldn't throw away medicines for the normal use of accompanying members of the team -- the mechanics, the masseurs and officials."

Terrados said he was carrying anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines and insisted: "It's logical for a doctor to carry this type of medication so it never occurred to me to throw them away."

He revealed that intense police questioning had left him "with low morale" but added, "I'm now totally calm about the situation. I have never done anything that could have damaged the health of the cyclists."

Saiz, who pulled the team out of the tour last Wednesday in protest at police treatment of the riders, was scathing in his criticism of race director Jean-Marie Leblanc, questioning the Frenchman's ability to run the event.

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Reuters contributed to this report.