I first heard this on NPR this morning as I drove into work and read about it in more depth on OLN TV. Several other news outlets are carrying the story as well.

This morning it was reported that several of the favorites in the Tour de France have been banned from this year’s race on the day of the prologue, the day before the actual race starts due to possible implications with a doctor Eufemiano Fuentes who is suspected in dealing in performance enhancing drugs.

The official tour web site has no information at this point but that should change to include information shortly. According to the OLN TV article, several riders including Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich, Francisco Mancebo with more riders to be announced later today before the prologue stage of the race starts, have been banned from participating in the Tour de France this year. All riders who have been banned are currently “guilty by association” as no hard evidence has been sited at this point. This is consistent with the hard-line approach sporting committees have taken with regard to doping and also seen in the sports commission governing the Olympics. Athletes are typically treated as guilty before being able to clear themselves. Unfair, in my opinion to say the least even if some or all of the athletes end up actually being guilty. There is no way that any innocent athletes will be able to compete in the tour this year because of the timing of these recent events.

Some of the favorites to win the tour are out and this will change the entire race. If not having Lance Armstrong in the tour this year wasn’t enough, some of top riders people were hoping to see do well this year are out. Interesting to say the least.

Related posts:

  1. Cycling: 2006 Tour de Georgia starts todayToday is the first stage of the Tour de Georgia,...
  2. MS150 this weekendFor thoes who don’t know or missed my last story...
  3. Walking tour of downtown Salt Lake CityWent with some friends: Melody, Jason and Natalie on a...
  4. Multiple Sclerosis 150 mile bike tour 2005This year I will be participating again in the Utah...
  5. Multiple Sclerosis 150 mile bike tour 2006I’m happy to say that I’m preparing again for the...