Drugs making headlines in Tour de France
July 13, 2008
The organisers of the 2008 Tour de France were hoping that the days of drug scandals were behind them. That was probably too much to ask for.
Spanish cyclist Manuel Beltran has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons as he was booted from the race after a positive A sample. The sample found traces of the blood booster erythopoietin (EPO).
Beltran who is 37 was riding for the Liquigas team in the Tour. In past tours he has been the teammate of Lance Armstrong and rode along side the American with the Discovery team in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Tour de France president Patrice Clerc said the drug finding shows that the current testing system is effective. “There is one less cheat at the Tour de France, it doesn’t necessarily mean ther are others,” he said Friday.
Let’s hope Beltran is the only one who had decided to try to cheat the system.
Meanwhile back in the race, after stage 8 from Figeac to Toulouse Kim Kirchen continues to wear the leaders yellow jersey. Australia’s Cadel Evans is just six seconds behind.
The first real test of the credentials of the want to be champions takes place in stage 9 as the tour moves into the Pyrenees. The 224km stage will take the riders from Toulouse to Bagneres-de-Bigorre.
The Tour de France riders will have two category one climbs to overcome. Category one is the most difficult in the climbing ratings. The first is the climb at Col de Peyresourde which is 1569m, the second is Col d’Aspin which is 1489m.
After this stage we could see some big changes at the top of the race standings.
For further coverage including video the SBS Australia Tour de France site is a must see.
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