'Spectacular' rider demonstration planned
By Susan Westemeyer Tour de France riders are planning a demonstration on Sunday's final stage, to...
By Susan Westemeyer
Tour de France riders are planning a demonstration on Sunday's final stage, to protest against those of their colleagues who continue to use dope. The demonstration comes after another doping tainted Tour, which saw Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) and Cristian Moreni (Cofidis) and their entire squads thrown out of the event following positive samples, while former yellow jersey Michael Rasmussen was dumped by his Rabobank team while leading the event for lying about his whereabouts.
"It is supposed to be something spectacular," said T-Mobile sport director Rolf Aldag, who confessed in May to using EPO during his own career as a professional rider. "The suggestion has been made to stop riding one metre before the finish line on the Champs Elysees. But I don't know if they will find enough riders to go through with it."
A meeting of team representatives is planned for Saturday after the Time Trial. The point must at least be made that the Tour and cycling can only be saved by functioning structures, Aldag said. "What is going on now between the UCI and the ASO, as Tour organiser, hurts everyone in the long run," he concluded.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1