Cyclist Boonen fails cocaine test, suspended by team
By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) - Tom Boonen's participation in the Tour de France looked in jeopardy after the former world champion was suspended by his Quick Step team on Saturday for failing an out-of-competition test for cocaine.
Although the use of cocaine is subject to sporting sanctions only during competition, three-times Paris-Roubaix winner Boonen was banned from "all activities with immediate effect" by his team.
The Belgian rider's positive test is his second offence in 12 months after he also tested positive for cocaine in an out-of-competition control last year.
Then, he was withdrawn from Quick Step's line-up for the Tour de France after race organisers said he was not welcome on the French roads.
Boonen, who won the Paris-Roubaix classic for the third time last month, won the green jersey for the best Tour sprinter in 2007 and he was looking to repeat the feat this year.
"The test, which was positive for cocaine, was carried out by the Flemish authorities," team spokesman Alessandro Tegner said. "It was about two weeks ago."
"He is suspended from all activities by the team," Tegner told Reuters by telephone later on Saturday.
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