The Italian Cycling Federation has decided to carry out an investigation int Arnaud Démare’s Milan-San Remo victory. Some riders have claimed that the French sprinter got a tow from a team car during the Italian race.
Just after the finish of Lad Primavera, Veteran Matteo Tosatto (Tinkoff) pointed the finger at the Frenchman and FDJ. The Italian rider told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Demare was off the back before the Cipressa. Then on the climb he passed us going twice our speed. I didn't see if he was on the car window or with a (sticky) bottle. Of course he was strong in the sprint but without that tow he would never have made it to contest the sprint. I've never seen a thing like that done so shamelessly."
Tosatto has given written testimony to the Italian Cycling Federation to contribute to an ongoing investigation. "I was hurt because after Milan-San Remo I rode the Volta a Catalunya and there were some of Demare’s teammates in my hotel and they had a go at me. But I’ve no regrets and nothing to be ashamed about, I know I can hold my head high," Tosatto said. "But I’ve no regrets about what I said because I saw it. I also repeated it to the Italian Cycling Federation investigators who contacted me for an explanation. I didn’t speak to them in person but sent them some emails."
"I’m not interested in fuelling the polemic any further, I’ve nothing personal against him and he’s definitely a great rider," Tosatto concluded.
FDJ team manager Marc Madiot had no comments and says that the case osclosed. Demare agrees.
"I’ve already spoken about it and there’s nothing else to say. I want to focus on the Giro d’Italia. I’ve preferred to target the Giro this year because we’ve got Thibaut Pinot for the Tour and the team will be for him. I’ve got more chances for myself here at the Giro", Démare added
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