Allegations of doping have encircled the Tour de France almost since its inception. The non-ceasing controversial doping cases have hit cycling a lot, with sponsors gradually distancing themselves from the sport. Use of abusive drugs has completely gutted the moral value involved in sports, also ill affecting the health of sports persons. However, some doping substances like alcohol and caffeine can be permitted in low doses. Sports contribute to a healthy lifestyle while doping malpractices, totally tarnishes it.
Tour de France rider Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning last weekend’s time trial, the 13th stage on Saturday prompting his Astana team to pull out of the race on Tuesday with police raiding the team hotel.
The Kazakh rider had also celebrated his 15th stage win of the 94th Tour de France on Monday.
Despite the latest heavy blow to a sport reeling from doping scandals, Tour de France organizers said the race would go on.
As a testing regime, every rider is tested before the start of the prologue stage. After each stage four riders are tested, the current overall leader, the day’s stage winner, and two riders selected at random. Additional testing may take place during the off-season and riders are generally expected to keep their national cycling federation informed of their whereabouts so they can be located for random testing.
The overall leader of the current tour Denmark’s Rasmussen, skipped the anti-doping controls earlier this year consequently being dropped by his national team.
Three former champions including Floyd Landis, also got entangled in drug scandals within the past year or so.
Couple of months ago the 1996 winner Bjarne Riis confessed doping for six long years of his career. Jan Ullrich, the 1997 champion had to quit cycling late February following same charges as well.
Via: Bloomberg
