Philippe Gilbert briefed that the new cycling generation is ‘all pretty clean’ of doping
There is nothing new about the use performance enhancing drugs in the sports and the game of cycling is no exception.
Cycling had always been dominated with such incidents throughout its history and UCI has done its best to keep the doping evil away from the sport.
However, no matter how hard the organisation may try, people find one way or the other to squeeze in the loop holes.
Although the 2012 year also brought along the suspension of Alberto Contador, but the Spaniard’s use of clenbuterol to win the Tour de France was overshadowed when USADA pledged Lance Armstrong guilty for using systematic doping for many years in his career.
Several cyclists recorded their testimony against the disgraced American, including 11 of his previous teammates.
Armstrong’s suspension and disqualifications from his seven overall victories at the Tour de France, through 1999-2005 disappointed a lot of cycling fans all across the world.
Despite all the distress, the reigning UCI Road World Champion, Philippe Gilbert has shown his confidence in the current generation as he briefed that there is a very less percentage of dopers in the new cycling generation.
"I think it’s up to us to prove to the world that cycling is more clean. I think the big problems are behind us," he said.
"It’s the older generation. Of course there are still some problems sometimes but it’s maybe less than one percent of the new cycling generation”.
“I think we’re all pretty clean and we have a new style and a new image with riders like Wiggo, who’s pretty special, and it brings some new interest to cycling. We are a new generation and it’s good for our sport".
After having a superb past season, the Belgian was a bit slow this year with his first stage win coming as late as the Vuelta a Espana 2012.
However, he was never too late as two stages at the Spanish Grand Tour (stage 9 and 19) were enough for the Belgian to get the right form ahead of the biggest goal of the season, the UCI Road World Championships 2012.
It will be interesting to see how Gilbert approaches the new season as will be seen in his new outfit, the rainbow jersey throughout the year.
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