The Hindu : Sport / Cycling : Riders protest over-doping

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Thursday, Jul 26, 2007
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Riders protest over-doping

ORTHEZ (France): Tour de France riders demonstrated their anger over repeated doping scandals by staging a silent protest at the start of Wednesday’s 16th stage. 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.

On Wednesday, the pack of riders split into two groups between those who took the start as normal — including controversial race leader Michael Rasmussen — and those who protested by hanging back for a few minutes.

Dozens of riders were involved in the symbolic protest, many from French teams that have long complained that doping is ruining the sport.

“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.

Delayed start

The protest contributed to a 13-minute delay to the scheduled start time of Wednesday’s stage, the last in the Pyrenees. The race ends on Sunday.

Tour organisers announced that 14 riders were subjected to blood tests early on Wednesday. — Agencies

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