Former world cycling champion Tom Boonen drew a heavy fine from his team on top of his indefinite suspension after testing positive for cocaine a second time. His actions could keep him from the Tour de France.
The Belgian failed the drug test last month. He will enter therapy and be allowed to stay with the Quick Step team, which will announce the amount of the fine later.
Tour de France organizers barred him last year after his first positive test and are expected to decide shortly on his status for this summer’s race.
“At issue is an occasional use of cocaine, triggered by certain situations during leisure time … Details
Christian Vande Velde of the Garmin-Slipstream team broke two ribs in a fall on Monday’s Giro d’Italia third stage and is out of the race, organisers said.
The American, who wore the leader’s jersey after the first stage of last year’s race, was taken to hospital after tumbling late on… Details
The International Cycling Union recently alerted professional teams that it intends to crack down on new technology in bicycle designs and accessories that might give an unfair advantage to teams with access to the latest breakthroughs.
Similar debates are perennially going on in golf, tennis and swimming because advances in equipment design can significantly affect how well athletes perform. Athletes don’t have equal access to the best training facilities and coaches. Why should a line be drawn denying them access to the latest technology?
Scot Nicol, founder of Ibis Cycles
Gary Hall Jr., three-time Olympian
Frank Thomas, former U.S. Golf Association official
Martina Navratilova, former tennis champion
Craig Lord, SwimNews.com
Eric Hjertberg, bicycle component technologist
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Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde was banned from competing in Italy for two years because of his involvement in the Operation Puerto blood doping case.
The ruling Monday by the Italian Olympic Committee’s anti-doping tribunal does not apply outside Italy, but could keep the rider from this year’s Tour de France because part of the route goes through Italy.
A statement issued by Valverde’s lawyers and signed by the cyclist said … Details