Aquablue Sport’s most successful rider, Stefan Denifl, has been arrested over alleged blood doping, it has been reported in the European media.
It is not clear what part of his long career in pro cycling the allegations relate to. The 31-year-old first rode as a pro back in 2006.
According to the details that have emerged so far, the Austrian was arrested last Friday. It has been further reported he has now been released after admitting blood doping.
Some Austrian and German media has reported that Denifl’s arrest was linked to the recent high profile raids and arrests in cross country skiing.
Austrian cross-country skier Max Hauke was as one of five athletes arrested in Seefeld, Austria, last week. Seefeld has been hosting the Nordic World Ski Championships.
Leaked footage of what is said to be an anti doping raid showed him in the middle of a blood transfusion process.
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The precise links between the skiers and Denifl is not clear. However, the Austrian media has reported that Denifl’s arrest is linked to the wider blood doping investigation that the skiers have also been detained under.
A sports doctor was also arrested as part of the operation that saw the skiers detained.
The international media has reported the doctor is the head figure in what is an alleged blood doping ring. It is further alleged he kept bags of blood in freezers, which look set to be examined for DNA.
Denifl enjoyed a very successful period with Aqua Blue Sport, winning a Vuelta stage in 2017 and the overall at the Tour of Austria.
When the team folded last August he thanked it publicly for the opportunity. He then went on to secure a contract at WorldTour level with CCC Team.
However, last December in an unusual and unexplained development, the team announced Denifl had asked that the contract be terminated.
In a short statement on Twitter at the time, below, the team said it had agreed to terminate the contract and wished him well.
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