In light of allegations by Michael Rasmussen, Pieter Weening's Orica-GreenEDGE team has asked the Dutchman to confirm an anti-doping statement that he signed prior to joining the team in 2012. The team adds that Weening is fully available to any formal inquiry by the Dutch federation.
In an interview aired on Danish tv channel DR1 yesterday, former Tour de France king of the mountains Michael accused the entire Rabobank team in the 2007 Tour de France of being accused. One of the riders who supported Rasmussen's bid to win that year's edition of the Grande Boucle, was Pieter Weening who now rides for Orica-GreenEDGE.
Earlier his year all riders on the Australian were required to disclose any past doping activities to the team during an external review done by Nicki Vance. The review was conducted in light of the Lance Armstrong case that involved sports director Matthew White and resulted in a report that gave several recommendations for the team's future anti-doping policy.
Weening has signed an anti-doping statement that denies any involvement in doping but in light of the new allegations, the team has asked him to confirm it.
"We have been made aware of certain allegations put forward regarding Pieter Weening," an Orica-GreenEdge statement read, according to theCourier Mail. "We have asked Pieter to fully re-confirm his legally binding written statement to the team regarding his career and these issues before and after joining the team, specifically with regards to the current allegations."
The team adds that Weening has "made himself fully available to any formal inquiry by the Dutch Federation and will follow up when these have been concluded, should there be a relevant reason to."
If Weening has failed to admit past offences, he will be the second Orica-GreenEDGE rider to do so. Earlier this year Stuart O'Grady admitted to using EPO when a French Senate report revealed that he had tested positive at the 1998 Tour. The revelations forced the Australian to change his career plans and he retired after this year's edition of the French grand tour.
Weening has had his best season ever in 2013, with his overall win in the Tour de Pologne being the highlight of his season. He stepped up his level and emerged as a strong contender for week-long stage races, finishing 6th place in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and 8th in the Eneco Tour.
In 2005 he won a stage of the Tour de France and in 2011, he won a stage and wore the leader's jersey at the Giro d'Italia.
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