January 27, 2007 (Brussels, Belgium) – Quick Step’s Patrick Lefevere held a press conference where he passionately defended himself and the team now embroiled in a doping conflict with the Flemish Belgian daily newspaper, Het Laatste Nieuws (The Latest News), which has accused Lefevere of “30 years of doping” reports AFP.

The Quick Step pro cycling team, which boasts 2005 World Champion Tom Boonen and reigning Olympic and World Champion Paolo Bettini as its leading legs, has been accused by Het Laatste Nieuws which claims that team cyclists are using not only “EPO, but also recreational drugs like cocaine, speed and ecstasy.”

The team’s manager, Patrick Lefevere is furious claiming the paper is writing “nonsense”. Lefevere said he’ll take action against the newspaper and seek “enormous” damages. Chris Declerck, Lefevere’s lawyer, confirmed that legal action would be taken against the newspaper, its editor and the reporter who wrote the story.

Lefevere emphatically denied the article’s suggestion that the team had a mole within the UCI, who tipped off riders about anti-doping test dates and refuted claims that an ‘anonymous’ team rider alleged organized doping and use of recreational drugs, such as cocaine and ecstasy by the team.

“I am dealing with enemies who do not show themselves. But I have never escaped my responsibilities,” said Lefevere according to the report.

The Quick Step team has already seen its fair share of controversy this week, when former team rider Johan Museeuw, admitted to doping during his professional cycling career.

Pat McQuaid, the president of the UCI, defended his organization by heatedly denying the existence of a ‘mole’.