He has been banned and he should stay banned. Part of the reason these idiots are still taking drugs, and I don't care if it's coke or EPO or anything else, and getting away with it and still being allowed to ride professionally is because the UCI are so damned lenient with them. And I don't care how 'talented' they are.

Broke the rules and taking drugs? Life ban!

That's the point though isn't it, he didn't actually break the rules from what I understand - he took coke out of competition, which may not be legal but isn't against the doping rules.

Never taken the stuff myself, but if its recreational and its not agaist the rules why's it any worse then going out on a booze fuelled bender?? I'm sure there's plenty of people on here who would say that what they do in their own time away from their profession is their own business if it doesn't prevent them doing their job... not sure I see the difference other than him being in the public eye

He didn't break UCI rules, but I reckon ASO will have something in their rules/constitution about competitors bringing the Tour into disrepute.

Tricky one, not sure he'll get off and any UCI statement will be moot to the French IMHO.

And the rugby player Matt Steven's gets a 2 year ban...... where's the consistency?

giant mancp, your simplistic hardheaded, black and white view accomplishes nothing.

"Or anything else?" you say. What about that alcohol! Your arbitrary double standard

is ridiculous. The ban is cowardly and panders to people like you. You might consider all the facts before you rush to judge and ruin someone else's life.

Slow1972 is exactly on the right track.

The wanking nannies that run ASO will certainly insist on the ban, bolstered by caffeine and later congratulating themselves with some alcohol. Their concerns are confined to competition. If the sponsor and team have decided to have him wear their logo and race, the ASO should defer.

Embracing, engaging and racing TB is THE BEST way to intervene and encourage him to take better care of himself going forward. Mean spirited, petty, punishment

doesn't work.

This second time he did not ingest coke, wasn't it found in his hair? Surely you would need to be proven to have 'taken' it before you get banned for it?

@Straightliner: Matt Steven's failed test for coke was right after a match! Boonen's were out of competition. He's a silly boy but hasn't broken WADA rules whereas Stevens did.