Formal punishments avoided in what Quick Step views as personal issue

Belgian Tom Boonen, 27, during the press conference regarding his positive test for cocaine
Photo ©: AFP

Belgian Tom Boonen will not be sanctioned by his team for his positive cocaine test, it was announced Wednesday morning at a press conference in Wielsbeke, Belgium. The 27 year-old Quick Step rider apologised for his actions and said that he would take a short break from competition. The team continued to show its support for the sprinter, as did the sponsor, which prolonged its contract.

Boonen, winner of this year's Paris-Roubaix, did not address the issue of whether he had used cocaine, but read a written statement, which said, "Lately, my name has appeared several times in the news in a negative manner. I realise that with this I have hurt my family, my friends, my team and my fans. I wish to apologise for that. But I am not perfect. I will accept the consequences. You will understand that in spite of everything that has been written, rightfully or wrongly, I am not here to defend my conduct."

The 2005 World Champion tested positive for cocaine in an out-of-competition doping control three days before the Tour of Belgium last month. He does not face any sporting sanctions by the International Cycling Union (UCI) nor his national federation.

Boonen, 2005 World Champion and winner of this year's Paris-Roubaix, did not answer questions
Photo ©: AFP

"I will take it easy the coming days and get control of my emotions. Fortunately, I know that I can still count on a lot of support. I know that I can count on the confidence of my team, for which I am very grateful. I also hope for the support of my fans. I assure them that I will stand on my own two feet and that they can count on my unconditional commitment."

He indicated that he would take a short break from racing, but did not state how long that might be, and did not make himself available to answer questions.

"Nobody is perfect," said Team Manager Patrick Lefevere. "We will keep a close eye on Tom but he will certainly remain with the team." He then announced that Quick Step had prolonged its sponsoring contract for an additional three years. "The sponsors continue to have confidence in the team and in Boonen," he added.

Belgian Lefevere was not clear as to how Boonen's racing calendar would be affected, saying that would be settled in the next few days. He gave Boonen the option of not racing or of racing as planned and made no mention of any possible sanction by the team.

The Tour de Suisse announced yesterday that the sprinter was to be excluded from the race, but the manager indicated that he did not believe the race had the right to refuse him a start. "We could easily overturn the decision to impose a prohibition on his start at the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS - ed.], but it is better that he keep a low profile right now." (SW)

The world's most useless bicycle messenger zine

Nomination for Muppet of the Year

Kelly makes it five as Kersten again misses Games

Both sprinters said afterwards that they disagreed with the controversial method of determining the final member of the national sprint team — Kelly and Kersten's form was considered impossible for Cycling Australia to split before the extraordinary event — but Kelly's recording of 39.198 seconds over 625 metres, compared to Kersten's time of 39.934 seconds, was at least clear cut.

Only cycling officials, friends and family members were permitted into the Darebin velodrome yesterday. Kersten won a coin toss and opted to ride first. Then it was over to 36-year-old Kelly, who did not watch Kersten's sprint or know what time he had registered.

After being informed of the official results, Kersten, who has now missed competing at the Olympics three times, sat down to compose himself before offering congratulations to Kelly. The pair embraced in the warm-up area. "He just said, 'All the best, the better guy won on the day'," Kelly said afterwards. "It's a big relief. I'm glad it's done."

Kelly is now poised to take the third-wheel position in the men's team sprint and might also ride the keirin at Beijing. "I did say 12 months ago when I set myself to make a bit of a comeback … I'm certainly not going for the tracksuit and everything else that goes with it. It's (for a) gold medal, and that's eluded me so far, so I'm 100% pumped and ready for it," he said.

Kelly won a silver medal in Barcelona and bronze in Sydney in the kilometre time trial, and bronze in Athens in the keirin, after squandering his best shot at a gold in Atlanta. He was the world-record holder in the kilo when his foot slipped from the pedal on the start line.

Kersten spoke after yesterday's trial with a pragmatism that belied his acute disappointment. "I did my best. Shane was better. It's better for Australia, so it's all you can do," he said. "I needed an answer and I've got one, as bad as that is. It's over and I'm happy to go and have a rest."

After narrowly missing out on making Australia's Olympic track team three times — Kersten was a late inclusion in 2004 but was not chosen to compete in an event at Athens — the 26-year-old said he would switch to the endurance events.

Kelly said he wouldn't wish on any cyclist the anxiety he had experienced since being informed he would need to ride off.

The sprint team of five that will be put to the Australian Olympic Committee to approve later this month includes Kelly, Anna Meares, Mark French, Ryan Bayley and Daniel Ellis. Meares and endurance cyclist Phil Thuaux will ride in specially arranged Olympic qualifying events at the Revolution track event at Vodafone Arena tonight.

Posted by fyxomatosis on 12 June 2008

1 Comments · 770 Reads -