Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Tour de France rider tests positive for blood doping

troutman · 07-25-2007, 10:17 AM

Interesting development - riders refuse to start TDF today:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

Dozens of Tour de France riders demonstrated their anger over repeated doping scandals by not starting the 16th stage at the scheduled time Wednesday.

The protest came a day after star rider Alexandre Vinokourov and his Astana team were sent home after he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.

Many of the riders involved in the symbolic protest were from French teams that have long complained that doping is ruining the sport. They simply let Rasmussen, star sprinter Tom Boonen and others ride away -- but caught up with them further down the road.

"We're fed up," French rider Ludovic Turpin told Eurosport television.

Fans booed Rasmussen at the start. The Dane is under a cloud of suspicion because he skipped doping tests before the Tour began.

Vinokourov did manage a joke about his situation.

"I heard that I made a transfusion with my father's blood," Vinokourov said. "That's absurd, I can tell you that with his blood, I would have tested positive for vodka."

07-25-2007, 10:17 AM	#16
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	Interesting development - riders refuse to start TDF today: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html Dozens of Tour de France riders demonstrated their anger over repeated doping scandals by not starting the 16th stage at the scheduled time Wednesday. The protest came a day after star rider Alexandre Vinokourov and his Astana team were sent home after he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion. Many of the riders involved in the symbolic protest were from French teams that have long complained that doping is ruining the sport. They simply let Rasmussen, star sprinter Tom Boonen and others ride away -- but caught up with them further down the road. "We're fed up," French rider Ludovic Turpin told Eurosport television. Fans booed Rasmussen at the start. The Dane is under a cloud of suspicion because he skipped doping tests before the Tour began. Vinokourov did manage a joke about his situation. "I heard that I made a transfusion with my father's blood," Vinokourov said. "That's absurd, I can tell you that with his blood, I would have tested positive for vodka." Last edited by troutman; 07-25-2007 at 10:20 AM.