No Tour de France for Tom Boonen
Tom Boonen will miss the Tour de France for the second year in a row (AFP/Getty Images)
Embattled cycling star Tom Boonen could face a six-month ban from the sport after his second positive test for cocaine, according to cycling's world ruling body.
Boonen, who recently claimed a third victory in the prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day classic, tested positive for cocaine in April - less than a year after he tested positive for the drug for the first time in May 2008..
It was believed the 2005 world champion would not be punished by the sport's authorities because cocaine does not feature on the list of cycling's banned substances for out-of-competition periods.
But - set to miss the Tour de France for the second year in a row, and facing criminal charges in Belgium - the International Cycling Union (UCI) said Tuesday Boonen had brought the sport into disrepute.
A statement from cycling's world ruling body said: "Following the control conducted by the Flemish authorities on the Belgian rider Tom Boonen, which revealed the use of cocaine, the UCI President Pat McQuaid has decided to refer the matter to the UCI Disciplinary Commission.
"The behaviour of Tom Boonen, even though it does not constitute a violation of the anti-doping rules, can be considered unacceptable (Art. 1.2.079) and liable to harm the image, reputation or interests of cycling or the UCI (Art. 12.1.005).
"This infringement is punishable by a suspension of 1-6 months."
The organisers of the Tour de France confirmed earlier Tuesday that Quick Step rider Boonen would not be welcome in this year's race.
"It's obviously impossible for Tom Boonen to start the Tour," event director Christian Prudhomme told AFP. "The most important thing for him, as it was said, particularly by his team, is to look after himself and to think about his future as a person, rather than thinking about sport," Prudhomme added.
He was forced to miss last year's Tour de France as a consequence of the first test.
The 28-year-old three-time Paris-Roubaix winner has been suspended indefinitely by his Quick Step team.
© AFP 2009
User Comments
There are 5 comments on this post
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 comments
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mike-london
Posted Tue 12 May, 6:40 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
i dont see what all the fuss is about, a snort of coke or a puff of cannabis is not going to improve there performance in a racing season ..
now steroid's that's another matter, building muscle mass to gain an advantage, they should be banned straight away ..
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Bigmiksears
Posted Tue 12 May, 8:05 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
and you would be right thinkin that. Cocain is not on the UCI banned list as it does not enchance performance - it is actually quite detrimental to it. I think it is due to the fact it is an illegal drug non the less and legal action is going to be taken on boonen. As of his court case last year regarding using cocaine the constraints were that he did not get caught using cocaine for at least 3 years for legal action not to be taken. I cant imagin that its going to well for Mr boonen. It is worth stating that boonen isnt a crack addict either - both times he has used the substances has been under extreme circumstances of drinking before hand. Again these athletes 99% of the time act impecably in order to achieve their goals and season objectives. When those objectives are complete and a rest period is given - some tend to go off the rails - but doent everyone. Athletes are only human at the end of the day.
Having read other artcles boonen has admitted himself that he has a problem - an im glad that Quick step are staying by him to provide him with the support that he needs in order to continue to be a great rider.
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Flanners1
Posted Wed 13 May, 9:21 am UTC Flag as inappropriate
Support he needs?! He is paid a huge salary and lives a playboy lifestyle as part of that image and to have a 'good time' he snorts coke and pops E's! A great role model!!! NOT.
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nedhoey
Posted Wed 13 May, 8:13 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
This illustrates perfectly why the illegality of recreational drugs usually does more harm to the user than the drug itself. Funny that the overindulgence of alcohol wouldn't trigger a banning, How ridiculous and hypocritical is that?
Not a banned substance? Then why is the Tour taking this action? Scapegoating doesn't become Tour organizers.
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juankerr
Posted Thu 14 May, 7:45 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
"In my defence, I was very pissed.." LOL.
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