No druggies please in the TDF.

Lashan

What a ridiculous comment! I take it you believe in false arbitrary distinctions. He can drink himself to death out of competition but use of cocaine is criminal and "druggie"? That is a mindboggling hypocrisy. Your reflexive impulse to punish human "weakness" has not resulted in changing human nature. He is now more victimized by people like you than the small amount of cocaine he ingested.

We need to grow up about recreational substance USE by adults in private. He was not engaged in activity designed to create competitive advantage in competition and for that reason Cycling needs to drop the matter.

Isn't cocaine used in 'Belgium Mix'? If so could the tester only picked up on the one small component? Not sure how long it would take to leave the system, or how close the test was done to any racing so maybe someone can add more details on it. I totally understand human weakness, but this guy got caught last year for the same thing, surely he needs to seek help before his career disappears and his achievements are overlooked due to a tarnished reputation, after all, if he is easily led into taking cocaine recreationally he could quite easily be tempted to take something to enhance his performance when times become hard and performances drop off.

Re: nedhoey

And obviously what a fine example to set for young aspiring cyclists. Not only do they see their heroes abusing their bodies, but (if he races) they see that there is no punishment in store.

As much as I would have loved to see Boonen race in the TDF this year, he obviously decided a cheap buzz was more important.

Re; nedhoey

I see nothing ridiculous in people calling for the TDF to be drug free. Cycling has been blighted by the scourge of drugs for far too long now. Boonen's use may well have been recreational but what incredibly poor judgement from a professional cyclist. One who will be only too aware of the consequences. Lashan's reference to 'druggies' is no different to the abbreviation of alcoholic to 'alcy'. The very real distinction is that alcohol is legal. Drugs are not. Besides you demonstrate enormous presumption regarding his drinking habits.

I exhibit 'human weakness' on a regular basis. Almost daily in fact. Thankfully though my ethics and self control prevent me from acting on it. Driving to fast, taking things that don't belong to me, being unfaithful, taking drugs......I suspect someone like you would use the defence of 'human weakness' in many other situations as well. I digress.

I think you need to grow up. Drugs are illegal. Recreational or otherwise they increase performance, whether that be increasing someone’s ability to ride faster or giving them a confidence boost and cheap buzz. Oh and they also cloud ones judgement.....

Such righteousness here.

Just what is the issue? Ingesting a drug? If it is not banned, or is not connectable to competition (this was not) then it isn't cyclings business.

Committing an illegal act?

I venture the answer here is both. This is unsavory witchhunt/scapegoat behavior.

Any action not directly related to cycling competition isn't their business. He's hired to race, if role modeling is an issue it is for his sponsors and team management to decide not cycling.

ma17rin you are wrong. SOME drugs are illegal and some are not, that is the problem. The legality is arbitrary and capricious. All drugs DO NOT enhance performance, especially if not taken during performance. Besides, clouded judgement as you put it, isn't increased judgement is it?

I'm the grown up one here, I'm the one with enough factual knowledge and wisdom to not rush to punishment, to see valid and important distinctions, and to be willing to stand up for what appears to be an unpopular but fair position.

Personally with all the bad news of drugs (PEDS) in cycling the last thing you want to see in the press is a pro cyclist caught with ANY form of illegal drug.

It's all too easy to judge the mans character in regard to all forms of banned pharma when he is being repeatedly caught for illegal offences.

I agree its not a PED as such and was used for recreational use but the attitude remains the same.

It puts in the mind the thought 'well if hes prepared to repeatedly break the law and risk jail/fines whatever, then what's he prepared to do professionally where all he'll face is a 24month ban?'

that's how it fits into cycling business

and yes some drugs are legal some are not. That's the rules. Same in sport it's your choice to break them no-one can make you.

not good