Boonen out of Tour de France

BtC

"Gags" <gagsunderscore44@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:4850f741$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM...iBW4xT8pNYZKNsQ
>
> Unbelievable!!! What was he thinking?? This is going to do massive
> damage to the sport.......again!!!!!
>
> Wonder how many more scandals will emerge prior to this year's tour??
>

I think even worse than damage to cycling, this should really be about the
damage that he has done to himself. He took a massive risk knowing that
tests were possible, (and indeed probable after the episode in Dec - Jan
with the cyclocross rider who tested positive to coke and pointed the finger
at Boonen as his supplier). His house was searched even back then. No one
banned him then. This risk taking is consistent with addiction of a
significant order.

This man clearly has a drug problem and like most drug related tragedies, he
fooled himself until it was too late. It has nothing to do with cycling.
It is about his own personal struggle with addiction. He is a cyclist with
a drug problem.

Maybe he can pick up the pieces, but I do not think that banning him is
going to help anybody - if anything it has the prospect of driving him to
absolute rock bottom (oh look -- a cocaine pun).

Or...

Who gives a bugger - he's just a druggie now isn't he? Ridiculous point of
view but that seems to be the social thought process these days. It sucks
all round.

BtC