Lotto NL-Jumbo send three riders home from training camp

Team Lotto NL-Jumbo has sent three riders home from its training camp after discovering the trio possessed medications that hadn't been cleared by the team.

Lotto NL-Jumbo on their training camp Source: Lotto NL-Jumbo

Juan-José Lobato, Antwan Tolhoek and Pascal Eenkhoorn have all been sent home from the team's pre-season training camp after being caught with sleep medication that hadn't been authorised by the team. 

In a statement released by the Dutch squad, they were quick to emphasis that the medication was not doping related, but the disciplinary action had been taken because of the breach of team rules.

"Team LottoNL-Jumbo has expelled Juan-José Lobato, Antwan Tolhoek and Pascal Eenkhoorn from the training camp in Girona for disciplinary reasons. The three riders had used or were in possession of (non-doping-related) sleep medication that was not provided by or used in the team. This is a serious violation of the strict regulations of the cycling team.

"Because of their unacceptable behaviour, the team’s management has expelled the three riders indefinitely. At a meeting with all riders and staff present earlier this evening, the entire team strongly distanced themselves from this behaviour, which contravenes the core values of the team. The three riders involved were also present. Where necessary, they shall be guided to prevent recurrence."

Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s training camp will continue until Friday and no statement has yet been made by the three riders in question.

JJ Lobato had been scheduled to ride the Tour Down Under in January, but the recent expulsion from the camp has thrown his participation up in the air.