Ineos Carer David Rozman Leaves Tour De France After Investigation Launched By Anti-doping Authorities

David Rozman, a semipermanent personnel of Ineos Grenadiers staff, has near nan Tour de France aft nan International Testing Agency launched an investigation into alleged messages he exchanged successful 2012 pinch subsequently convicted German doping expert Mark Schmidt.

The allegations stem from a caller documentary made by German TV outlet ARD, which linked Rozman to Schmidt, pinch further media reports including alleged texts betwixt nan Ineos unit personnel and Schmidt from June 2012 erstwhile nan squad was racing arsenic Team Sky.

The documentary and consequent reports were said to person drawn connected tribunal transcripts and in-court reporting during nan Aderlass hearings, which resulted successful Schmidt being jailed successful 2021 for orchestrating a doping ringing revolving astir transverse state skiers and aggregate cyclists betwixt 2012 and 2019.

It was besides claimed that Schmidt tried to put a sojourn to nan Team Sky edifice connected nan evening of 6 July, 2012. The pursuing time Chris Froome won nan Tour de France shape to La Planche des Belles Filles and Bradley Wiggins took nan wide title lead.

In a connection issued to nan Guardian connected Thursday, Ineos said that Rozman had spoken “informally” to nan ITA successful April erstwhile he was told he was not nether investigation but that: “Following caller media allegations, David Rozman has now received a petition from nan ITA to be an interview. Accordingly, he has stepped backmost from title duties and has near nan Tour.”

Rozman is described by Ineos connected its website arsenic “one of nan longest-serving members of our staff” who “takes connected nan important domiciled of caput carer.” He worked pinch four-time Tour victor Froome and British Cycling has besides confirmed to The Guardian that he was besides present, moving for Team GB, astatine some nan London and Rio Olympic Games. Froome has removed images of Rozman from his societal media accounts.

The Ineos connection continued: “David Rozman was informally contacted successful April 2025 by a personnel of ITA staff, who asked him astir alleged humanities communications. David instantly notified nan squad of his gathering pinch nan ITA and his recollection of nan contents of nan meeting. Although nan ITA assured David astatine nan clip that he was not nether investigation, INEOS promptly commissioned a thorough reappraisal by an outer rule firm.

“The squad has acted responsibly and pinch owed process, taking nan allegations earnestly whilst acknowledging that David is simply a long-standing, dedicated personnel of nan team. The squad continues to measure nan circumstances and immoderate applicable developments, and has formally requested immoderate applicable accusation from nan ITA.

“To day nan squad has received nary grounds from immoderate applicable authority. In consequence to nan team’s petition for information, nan ITA has advised nan squad that it cannot stock immoderate further information, owed to ineligible and confidentiality restrictions. Both David and nan squad will of people co-operate pinch nan ITA and immoderate different authority. The squad reiterates its zero-tolerance argumentation and is incapable to remark further astatine this time.”

Previously, aesculapian advisor Gert Leinders, who worked pinch Team Sky successful 2012, was subsequently banned for life for aggregate doping violations from 1996-2009 astatine a erstwhile team, while squad doctor, Richard Freeman was struck disconnected successful 2021 and banned for 4 years successful 2023 for possession of a prohibited constituent and tampering pinch portion of doping power while astatine Team Sky.