Report: Belgian doctor denies claims he was involved in doping at former Rabobank cycling team

AMSTERDAM – A Dutch newspaper claims that a team doctor with the former Rabobank cycling team played a central role in doping by its riders.

The Belgian doctor, Geert Leinders, denies any involvement. The report in the NRC Handelsblad is based on statements by American rider Levi Leipheimer — a Rabo cyclist from 2002-04 — given as part of his testimony to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency during its Lance Armstrong investigation.

Although that testimony has already been published, NRC said in a story published Saturday it gained access to a version that identifies Leinders, whose identity had previously been withheld.

Rabobank ended its sponsorship of the team shortly after the publication of the Armstrong report, saying its trust in the sport has been destroyed.