Vuelta a España 2023: Jumbo-Visma reacts to motor doping allegations – Team principal defends himself

One scene in particular concerns Pineau at this year’s Vuelta a España. On the thirteenth stage, Kos showed a great start on the legendary climb up the Col du Tourmalet with a huge difference in speed between him and the competitors.

For Benno, this difference can only be explained in one way. “Motor doping. Seb Kaas on the Tourmalet accelerated 10 km/h faster than the group. Without Evenpoel, but with top riders like Ayuso Wijtdebrix, who are definitely not holding back – and Kaas is 10 km/h faster,” said Pino on “RMC Sport “.

The 43-year-old said: “One of the spectators swerved briefly, Kos braked and then immediately drove at 10 kilometers per hour again. How can you explain something like this?”

Pinault was unable to provide any evidence for his serious accusations, and in the end all that remained were the Frenchman’s allegations. There is still no reaction from Jumbo-Visma.

Mergen Zeman, Jumbo-Visma’s sporting director, contacted GCN via text message and responded with a counter-attack to the rumors spread by Pino.

The 44-year-old said: “Comments from a team manager who hired several drivers and staff and was eventually found guilty of cheating everyone and making them look bad? Is someone like that allowed to talk about others?”

There’s no doubt that Jumbo-Visma is in a league of its own this season, and victories in the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and upcoming overall victory in the Vuelta a España speak for themselves. During the UCI’s daily bike inspections before and after each race, not a single bike was found to be defective.