Bernhard Kohl’s former manager accuses cyclist of giving doping to other Gerolstein riders

Manager accuses Kohl of giving doping to teammates

VIENNA — Bernhard Kohl’s former manager has accused the banned Austrian cyclist of giving doping substances to other riders at the German Gerolsteiner team in 2007 and 2008.

Stefan Matschiner says Kohl gave the banned blood booster EPO to several of his team members during the 2007 Tour de France and throughout last year.

“Kohl gave former Gerolsteiner colleagues Dynepo several times,” Matschiner was quoted as saying by Austrian broadcaster ORF. “I know this … because he got it from me.”

Matschiner also said he was “indirectly involved” and therefore has “no witnesses.”

Matschiner was arrested in March for allegedly playing a main role in a nationwide doping scandal, and he has been named by Kohl and retired triathlete Lisa Huetthaler as their supplier of performance-enhancing drugs.

Kohl’s attorney Manfred Ainedter denied any wrongdoing by the cyclist.

“Fact is that Benhard Kohl did not give anything (to other riders),” Ainedter told the Austria Press Agency.

Ainedter said a Gerolsteiner rider asked his client for banned drugs in 2007 and that Kohl referred him to Matschiner without getting involved himself.

Last month, however, Kohl admitted on Austrian television that he gave drugs to other athletes, but refused to name them.

Kohl could not be reached for comment.

Under Austria’s anti-doping laws, providing others with doping products is a criminal offense with prison terms of up to five years.

Kohl finished third in last year’s Tour and won the polka-dot jersey worn by the top climber, but was banned for two years by the Austrian anti-doing agency after admitting he used blood booster CERA. He retired in May.