According to Julien Pinot, the FDJ coach, cycling has to be treated the same as other sports. He took as an example the French tennis player Richard Gasquet who used injections of corticoids. Interviewed by L'Equipe, the tennisman said: "Fortunately, injections exist." A phrase that has upset the coach.
Indeed, the use of corticoids are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). An athlete can use it only if he has a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
“Random test at 11pm while Gasquet qualifies for the semis with an injection. Not the same treatment by the authorities and the media,” Pinot said on Twitter before to explain his reflection. "The media do not care that Gasquet has an injection. When (2013 Tour champion Chris) Froome had (corticoids) treatment for his bronchitis last year it caused a stir," he told reporters before Thursday's sixth stage of the Tour de France, according to Reuters. "Thibaut has had bronchitis for four days, he's being treated with plants."
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