Hans Lienhart

Johann “Hans” Lienhart was one of Austria’s top road cyclists in the 1980s. He regularly competed in the Österreich-Radrundfahrt (Tour d’Autriche) and won three stages, one each in 1981, 1983 and 1987 and additionally won the prologue of the 1988 edition. He was a three-time Austrian road race champion, twice for amateurs (1981 and 1983) and once for elite (also 1983). Internationally Lienhart competed at three consecutive Olympics (1980-1988) with a best finish of 11th in the 1984 100 kilometres team time trial. His greatest success came in the same event at the 1987 World Road Championships, when he won a bronze medal together with Helmut Wechselberger, Bernard Rassinger and Mario Traxl on home soil.

After his career Liehart worked for former sponsors and sold bicycles in Austria. His son Florian Lienhart also started a cycling career and competed in triathlon. He became Austrian champion in Cross-Triathlon, but tested positive for EPO in May and June 2019, which resulted in a four-year ban. Hans Lienhart was suspended for 10 years after being found guilty for purchasing, owning and passing on drugs and for encouraging, guiding and supporting his son with the use of drugs.