Boonen's cocaine case ends

A court in Turnhout, Belgium, has ruled that although Tom Boonen used cocaine, the Quick Step rider will face no further punishment.

The sprinter, who is currently riding the Tour of Qatar, tested positive for the drug in an out-of-competition control last spring. The use of cocaine outside of competition is not a sporting violation. It was later claimed that tests showed that he had used cocaine "often" over a period of months and also that he had taken the drug ecstasy.

After testing positive for cocaine, Boonen was excluded from the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de France, which the court found to be adequate punishment.

The sprinter is still prohibited from using psychoactive and narcotic substances and must pay court costs.(SW)