Tour de France News – 3 days to go!

July 1st, 2009 by Al Fresco 756 views No Comment

It’s 3 days until the start of the Tour de France in Monaco. Dekker is out, Wigelius steps in, Boonen’s still up in the air, Sastre is realistic and more. Here’s the Tour de France News:

The big news this morning is that Silence-Lotto rider Thomas Dekker has been nailed for doping based on new tests on samples from December of 2007! He was a member of the Rabobank team at the time. The sample was re-tested using new techniques, which resulted in a positive test for EPO. Dekker, who was slated to arrive in Monaco today for Saturday’s opening stage of the Tour, will be replaced on the Silence-Lotto roster by British rider Charley Wigelius. Dekker’s move to Silence was in part prompted by the Rabobank team’s decision to leave him off of its Tour de France squad in 2008. The team cited “abnormal blood values” from that year’s Tour de Suisse as justification for its decision.
Lawyers for Tom Boonen have confirmed that they will get a decision from France’s Olympic Committee and the Court of Arbitration for Sport on his participation in the Tour de France. Obviously, this is his last chance to get into the race as any further appeals would take place after the start of the race.
Quick Step has asked the ASO to bring 10 riders to the race for pre-race medical testing. They want both Boonen and Allan Davis, who will take Boonen’s slot if he gets denied, to be cleared to race so that Quick Step will be able to start with their full contingent of nine riders in either case.
Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) hopes for at least a stage win, and possibly the polka dot jersey at this year’s race.
Carlos Sastre is proud to start the race in the yellow jersey, saying that it has been a “great satisfaction” to be known as a Tour winner. but is realistic about his chances this year. “I will be disappointed at the finish if I am unable to give the best of myself, if I can not find my pedal stroke, or if I make a strategic mistake. Otherwise, I will accept my league.”
Depeche du Midi notes that 40 Frenchmen will start the race this year, but there are few contendors for the yellow jersey. Sylvain Chavanel (see above) is mentioned, but the only other riders that really get called out are Stéphane Goubert and Cristophe Moreau, both of whom are in the twilight of their careers.
The same article at Depeche du Midi also touches on the Tom Boonen situation and wonders why Boonen is being excluded while Katusha, with two pending doping cases is lining up to start.
There are eight North American riders in this year’s race (Christian Vande Velde, Dave Zabriskie, Danny Pate, Tyler Farrar, George Hincapie, Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Ryder Hesjedal). It’s certainly a strong field, but some notable exceptions are Chris Horner, Michael Barry, Svein Tuft, Will Frischkorn and Jason McCartney.
Tour de France legend Bernard Hinault believes up and coming German cycling star Gerald Ciolek could pose a threat to Britain’s Mark Cavendish for the green sprinter’s jersey. Ciolek left columbia-Highroad for Milram last year when he realized that the team was pinning their sprint hopes on Cavendish.
Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) has set a target to finish in the top 10 in the general classification of the Tour de France. He refuses to aim higher. “I keep my feet on the ground. Some are more mature and more experienced than me. I’m going with the idea of going into (the top) 10 and then we will see as it happens,” said the 23 year old Czech.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy has pledged his support to help the Tour de France fight the scourge of doping. Sarkozy said Wednesday that “it was necessary to support the Tour de France and its organizers,” his government spokesman Luc Chatel said. Sarkozy plans to follow one of this year’s Tour stages, but it is not yet known which one he will attend.

Other News:

Emanuele Serra will return to racing for the small A-Team Carmiooro Style squad on August 18. He served a one year suspension after having been found positive for CERA from a test during the Giro d’Italia. Contributing to CONI’s inspection and naming his suppliers contributed to the lightened ban. Serra’s contract runs through the end of 2010. Serra said, “I am delighted – I can not wait to get back to racing. I’m preparing with great grit (for) my racing debut next August. I want to thank those who gave me confidence and I will do (my) utmost to repay the new sponsor.”
Laurent Fignon, in a long interview with L’Equipe, said that doping has always existed and that everyone is responsible for it either continuing or stopping. He says that EPO really changed the game of racing. Finally, he looks forward to a good battle between Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador at this year’s race.