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Germany's efforts to make cycling dope-free

June 19, 2015 14:36 IST

Cycling without doping is an illusion, says the country’s top cyclist John Degenkolb

Vincenzo Nibali of Italy and the Astana Pro Team

Astana Pro Team cyclista (Image used for representational purposes). Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

A draft bill to make doping a criminal offence is underway in Germany and has been backed by German time-trial specialist Tony Martin, John Degenkolb and top sprinter Marcel Kittel as the nation takes the fight against the dopers.

Degenkolb also called upon international authorities to take serious steps to eliminate the cheats and protect the game from the curse of doping.

Degenkolb, who won the Milan-San Remo and the Paris-Roubaix races this season, said that clean cycling was still a big dream as ' dope cheats' were still thriving in the sport.

He said that the fans should not expect to see cycling liberated forever from the dopers, insisting that the same goes for other sports too, Sport24 reported.

Degenkolb insisted that he was totally clean and had made a zero tolerance pact with team-mate Kittel, who has won eight Tour de France stages in two editions, as well as Martin.

Cycling without doping is an illusion, says the country’s top cyclist John Degenkolb

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