BORDEAUX, France -- Former cycling trainer Freddy Sergant
was sentenced to four years in jail Monday in a trial centered on a
doping ring that supplied a cocktail of amphetamines, cocaine and
heroin to riders in France and Belgium.
Sergant received the harshest of 23 sentences, with none of the
defendants escaping punishment.
The sentencing comes amid a scandal that threw the Tour de
France into chaos on the eve of the race. Several top cyclists were
withdrawn Friday because of a doping investigation in Spain.
Sergant, a Belgian believed to be the key figure, also was fined
more than $230,000. His wife, Monique, was given a one-year prison
term.
The other sentences ranged from about $1,900 to a 2½-year prison
term, with 20 months suspended, for former pro cyclist Laurent
Roux. He said he would appeal.
His brother Fabien was sentenced to two years, with 15 months
suspended. The brothers, each having already has been jailed eight
months, were ordered to pay more than $230,000 apiece in fines.
"I have the impression that, despite what just happened in the
Tour de France, that I'm the [scapegoat] for a totally corrupt
system," Laurent Roux said.
About 2,000 doses of what is often called a "magic cocktail"
or "Belgian cocktail" were sold in France and Belgium between
2002 and 2005, the prosecutor said.
French Cycling Federation lawyer Paul Mauriac called the
verdicts just.
"Let's stop saying that others dope, everyone dopes, so I will
dope," Mauriac said.