Thymen Arensman secured the biggest victory of his career on Saturday afternoon. He won solo on the Pyrenean stage to Superbagnères in the 2025 Tour de France. Afterwards, the winner always has to answer questions during a press conference in the media room. There, the 25-year-old Dutchman was asked whether David Rozman has also been seen within the INEOS Grenadiers team.
Rozman – a Slovenian masseur who has worked for the British team for many years – was revealed last weekend by Irish journalist Paul Kimmage in the Irish newspaper Sunday Independent. The story originated in June in an ARD documentary, which are based on court documents from the case against Dr. Mark Schmidt. He was convicted in 2020 for his involvement in the blood doping scandal better known as Operation Aderlass.
Before and during the 2012 Tour de France, Rozman regularly had contact with Dr. Schmidt. Messages between the two are part of the evidence in the trial. Rozman allegedly asked Schmidt for ‘stuff that Milram used.’ They also arranged to meet for a beer in the team hotel. In addition, Rozman forwarded phone data from an alleged supplier of banned substances.
Since the beginning of this Tour, Rozman – currently the team’s lead soigneur, as stated on the INEOS Grenadiers website – has not been seen with the team. The statute of limitations has expired, but the British squad remains tight-lipped. A brief statement was issued on Friday. A British journalist apologized to Arensman during the press conference but did ask the question aloud. It went as follows:
British journalist: "I have a very specific question for you, probably one you don’t want. Sorry that you’re the one who has to answer these questions today. Serious allegations have been made against one of your team’s soigneurs, yet we haven’t seen him in the Tour. Have you seen David Rozman? Is he still at the team hotel?"
Arensman: "I have no idea about that. You should honestly ask management. I’m focused on my work and my own matters. I really wouldn’t know. So please ask management, that’s what they are there for."
Another British journalist: "I’d like to follow up with a question on that. We have already tried with management. They don’t want to talk. Do you think it’s fair that you are here celebrating the biggest win of your career while we as journalists have to ask you what’s going on?"
Arensman: "I don’t know. If you have tried with management... I really don’t know. It’s strange that they aren’t really answering you. But once again: I’m focused on my work and I just won the biggest thing in my career. I’m trying to enjoy that."
