“I am surprised by the attitude of Red Bull - BORA": Spanish expert questions why Oier Lazkano has been denied presumption of innocence
CyclingTuesday, 04 November 2025 at 11:00
Veteran Eurosport commentator Javier Ares has reacted to the provisional suspension of Oier Lazkano, calling for calm and due process while expressing surprise at Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe’s decision to immediately cut ties with the Spaniard following biological passport irregularities.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ares urged cycling to uphold the principle of presumption of innocence, stressing that the case must be handled with balance rather than summary judgement. “I am somewhat surprised by the attitude of the team Red Bull BORA of excluding him fulminantly from the team.”
Ares emphasised that while the UCI’s decision to provisionally suspend Lazkano is serious, it does not yet constitute a final verdict.
Presumption of innocence and a warning against “rush to judgement”
Ares repeatedly returned to the legal and moral principle that riders deserve fair treatment until a decision is final: “We always start from that indisputable principle that is the presumption of innocence… we deserve, at the very least, the defence that corresponds.”
The respected broadcaster also renewed his long-held belief that doping cases are not uniform and should not automatically be treated as identical scandals: “Not all doping is the same… there are systematic, truly serious cases, and others where a small lapse should not be judged with the same severity.”
He admitted his discomfort with the trend of “summary trials” in cycling discourse, urging patience as Lazkano’s defence is heard.
Red Bull - BORA vs Movistar response under the microscope
Ares contrasted the differing reactions from Lazkano’s teams:
- Movistar: “assured not having detected anything”
- Red Bull - BORA: acted in April after learning of abnormal values and have now terminated the rider
Ares questioned why the German team chose immediate dismissal rather than a conditional suspension pending final ruling, noting the financial implications surrounding Lazkano’s reported €1.5m-per-year deal.
Defence of Pogacar amid renewed suspicion
Ares also took aim at those who weaponise older scandals to cast suspicion on current champions, specifically referencing Tadej Pogacar: “I choose to believe in people… we should not question success based on past precedents.”
He argued cycling is “infinitely cleaner than before” and cases emerging today underline the effectiveness of controls rather than the persistence of systematic cheating.
Ares noted that Lazkano had not raced since April due to injury and was already experiencing “a particularly delicate” personal and emotional period. The UCI’s provisional suspension, he said, came after months of monitoring biological passport values.
He concluded by acknowledging that if wrongdoing is proven, consequences must follow — but stressed the episode should be seen as proof of an anti-doping system functioning as intended. “If someone is guilty, they must pay. But cases like this show that controls work.”
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- He tested positive at least FOUR times... He got kicked out of a Giro d'Italia (which leading for 16 stages in '69), after winning Lombardia in '73, at Fleche Wallone in '75, then in '77 for amphetamines... not at a specific race to my knowledge. Merckx had four positives tests over 8 years, in a time when testing was in its infancy. He had excuses, reasons, stories, etc. If this happend today, he'd be banned for life. Yes, Vlaeminck is a son of a b*i*t*c*h !!!NikkoNicco08-11-2025
- what a looser. seems like his self confidence is down the drain. obviously, he never had anything else but his cycling past to be proud of. by the way ... pogi does not lace any shoes, they have boa these days...Ketterechts08-11-2025
- 1) Eddy Merckx was involved in several doping controversies during his career. The first major incident occurred in 1969 during the Giro d’Italia, where he tested positive for fencamfamine, a banned stimulant, after leading the race through 16 stages. He was expelled from the race. 2) In 1973, Merckx tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Giro di Lombardia, leading to his disqualification. 3) In 1977, he tested positive for the amphetamine stimulant Stimul after winning the La Flèche Wallonne. 4) He was also linked to the use of pemoline, an amphetamine, along with Freddy Maertens and Michel Pollentier, though this was not a formal sanction. So Roger De Vlaeminck, shut the f**k up. You're a sore looser.NikkoNicco08-11-2025
- That's all you got? lol
ScottG08-11-2025 - OK boomer.elosanjos08-11-2025
- Eddy is a great cyclist and a doper.Staal08-11-2025
- Well, I never want to be THIS crazyvappaxbipmv08-11-2025
- Oh why not, let’s look at statistics. Perhaps he’s worried that Pogacar is a multiple grand tour winner who is soon going to pass him on the Monuments win list. Perhaps he’s wondering how this upstart kid stood on all 5 monument podiums in a year. Maybe he sees that Pogacar is only the second rider to win 3 Monuments (and the Worlds!) in a year, and he didn’t do it. In sum, maybe he’s jealous.RidesHills08-11-2025
- De Vlaeminck is crazy. First Jonas, MVDP, WVA, Remco, Ganna, Mads Pedersen are generational talents in their own discipline. In today's cycling seconds means a lot and Pogi has beaten them in their own discipline by minutes not seconds. he has gone on 50,60,80,100 km solos to win. Merckx will always have the volume but Pogi will have the quality of legendary wins.abstractengineer08-11-2025
- Sorry Roger, I have huge respects for what you achieved in your career, but this is a nonsenseslappers6608-11-2025
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