Hair tests confirm Boonen cocaine use

Hair tests confirmed Tom Boonen's use of cocaine, according to the Gazet van Antwerpen. The Belgian sprinter never admitted the use of the drug, for which he tested positive for in May.

A court in Tournhout, Belgium, must now decide whether to take action against him or not.

The Quick Step rider underwent an out-of-competition test on May 26, shortly before the start of the Tour of Belgium. That test returned positive for cocaine, which is not illegal under sporting regulations out of competition.

However, investigators may use the hair evidence to determine when he consumed the cocaine – for example, whether he took it in April during the Spring Classics. Quick Step General Manager Patrick Lefevere told hln.be that he had no comment on the matter. "Since the beginning I have said that this is a private matter of Boonen's."

Boonen read a written statement prepared by his lawyer at a press conference in June in which he apologised for the "negative news," but in which he did not admit to the use of the drug. He later claimed his innocence and that the drug must have been slipped into a drink at an open-air bar.

The Tour de France prohibited Boonen from starting in its race based on the positive test. (SW)