FanPost

Why the Boonen Positive is Farce

As cycling fans, I think we might be a little jumpy when it comes to reacting to positive tests. But I think it would be beneficial for us, and for Tom Boonen, if we all took a big step back here. 

This "positive test" was an out-of-competition control that showed traces for a substance that isn't banned for out-of-competition use. No infraction occurred. The only recourse for action is a fudge clause (Article IX) in the ProTour ethical code that essentially forces teams to suspend anyone that has done something UCI might not approve of.

This "failed test" brings up three important questions:

 

  1. Is Tom Boonen OK?
  2. Why are tests being carried out for non-prohibited substances? 
  3. Why are anti-doping authorities announcing positives tests that are not sanctionable?

If you are not asking these, then (IMHO) you're more concerned about destroying positive cyclists than fixing the problem of doping. 


My full rant on it is here