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Bjarne Riis reveals €20 million loss and depression after 1996 Tour de France win
Former Danish cyclist Bjarne Riis, the 1996 Tour de France champion, told French newspaper L’Équipe that he has struggled with severe depression and substantial financial loss. He said he lost about 20 million euros over four years, both personal funds and money tied to his company IT Factory, which became embroiled in a fraud scandal in 2009.
Riis also reiterated his 2007 doping admission, confirming he used EPO from 1993 to 1998, including during his Tour victory, but maintains that his 1996 win was earned fairly. After retiring from racing in 1999, he served as a sporting director and team manager, owning the CSC team and remaining active in professional cycling until 2020. He says he has now found peace and recovered from his crises.
Entities
Bjarne Riis · IT Factory · L’Équipe · Saxo Bank · Tour de France
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Riis admitted in 2007 to using EPO from 1993 to 1998, including during his 1996 Tour win. www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The IT Factory fraud case involved the company's chief in 2009. www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Bjarne Riis won the Tour de France in 1996. www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Riis suffered from depression, which he said was triggered by the financial loss. www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] After retiring in 1999, Riis worked as a sporting director and team manager, owning the CSC team, active until 2020. www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Riis lost about 20 million euros over four years due to the IT Factory fraud scandal. www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Riis gave the interview to French daily newspaper L’Équipe. www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Riis believes his 1996 Tour victory was legitimate despite doping. www.fehmarn24.de