Dutch cycling road racer Michael Boogerd has admitted using doping from 1997 to the end of his professional career in 2007 in an interview with Nos television.

Allegations against Boogerd, who won two stages of the Tour de France and a string of other titles, have been made since 2008 but he has always denied the charges.

In the interview, to be broadcast on Wednesday night, Boogerd admits using epo, blood transfusions and cortisone to boost his performance while a member of the Rabobank team.

Clean

Boogerd said he mainly used doping during training periods, in preparation for races. ‘I’ve cycled the Tour de France clean often enough,’ he said.

Boogerd’s speciality was hilly classics and he also won the Amstel Gold Race in 1999. He was Dutch Champion three times, in 1997, 1998 and 2006.

He is the eighth Rabobank cyclist to admit doping. The cooperative banking giant stopped sponsoring professional cycling last year.

High points from his career