In May 2008 after testing positive for cocaine, Quickstep rider Tom Boonen though escaped charges as the Belgium court recognised that missing the Tour De France and Tour fo Switzerland was "punishment enough". The second positive cocaine test on the 27th of April 2009 (out of competition) has been confirmed by Belgium Prosecutors and Quickstep annouced today that he has been suspended.
While out of competition tests typically mean that the UCI and WADA have no jurisdiction to impose sanctions – he faces court for a second time and will certainly face a tougher sentence as a condition of no fine or prison time from the last offence was that he was not allowed to re-offend in the following three years. In April his house was search by Police for drugs however there has been no official comment whether drugs were found.
Tom Boonen Suspended by Quickstep
Team Quickstep announced today "This morning Team Quick Step took notice of a positive test outside competition of Tom Boonen. Team Quick Step announces that Tom Boonen has been suspended from all competitive activity effective immediately. The staff is working closely with team sponsors and will continue to update the situation during the weekend evaluating eventual further action."
Tom Boonen misses out on the planned Tour of Catalunya at the end of the month, the Dauphine Libere in June and the Tour de France.
photo: licenced under Creative Commons
