Cycling - Mark defends his innocence to allegations of doping

Surrounded by family and friends, with a straight face and strong voice, the Spanish rider Alex Mark defended his innocence to charges of doping during the last Tour of Portugal, who was able to test in the ultimate triumph .

In a packed press conference , Mark , who was wrapped by sporting director OFM Quinta da Lixa present paper aims Barros and his colleagues Delio Fernández and Gustavo Cesar Veloso said that it had " prescription " and " authorization" to be treated with Betamethasone products containing the substance to be detected in a control. "I have not failed anything. At the Tour of Portugal had a pain and so I underwent infiltration . Both my team and the ICU had full knowledge of the use of this substance . I have not infiltrated to improve my athletic performance " Mark explained . "The use of infiltration is limited only in the competition and appears reflected in the prohibited list of WADA substances. If a player or a motorcycle racer competes infiltrate is a hero and me is me being treated like a villain "lamented Galician.

Mark , who had signed a contract - now - canceled by the team to join the Movistar starting next January, revealed that during the celebration of the Portuguese test had to " be treated several times for medical career ." "My teammates and the closest people were aware of the situation of my knee was critical. During the course of the last stage the pain was so great that I almost feel obliged to get off the bike .team sky apparel  Thought he was going to lose everything for the pains I had, " he related .

The rider confessed to be living a "nightmare " and hoped that everything is clear "soon" because he and his family are experiencing " an ordeal .": " My mother has cancer and all this does not help anything Never in my life has past some of this. Wear professional rider 10 years and this is very hard. "

A Marque were asked if the signing of Igor Antón by Movistar to have influenced his future team has announced the termination of the contract that would bind both parties from next January. "Today I have not spoken to anyone from Movistar and I know nothing of any decision to terminate the contract . Do not think it affects the signing of Igor because I know that they were following a while. Eusebio always said it was a proven rider " she said. " Now what worries me is that everything is clarified as soon as possible so that I can return transparency I've ever had . I do not know what the reason for that newspaper - The Country -lance news like air , without being documented without contrasting it with me , "he added .

The companions defend

Delio Fernández , his partner in the Quinta da Lixa OFM , defended the innocence of Mark : " We give credence to his words because we were aware of his injury and from here we want to give our support." "This is something we never expected, took us by surprise.cycling bandanas  Both the club and the Portuguese Federation we know nothing of this matter because the UCI has not sent us any notice. Expect that everything is a lie and that Mark can continue his career " said sporting director Luso whole.

Also Gustavo César Veloso , second in the Tour of Portugal, supported Marque: " All this seems to me an outrage , surreal Each passing day I feel more helpless For me Alex won the return to Portugal without cheating and we all . . with him. "