I still can’t believe the news. Tom Boonen, one of the cycling’s mega-stars, has been barred from competing in 2008 because he tested positive for cocaine. He was not officially caught “doping” (i.e. using banned drugs during competition), he cannot be banned by the UCI. However, tour organizers can bar him into their races. He did not start in the Tour of Switzerland this week and he won’t be racing in the Tour de France this summer.

Although Boonen is doing very well this year, having won the Paris-Roubaix race, his personal life is a mess. He lost his Belgian driver’s license this month after being caught driving too fast (and drunk). He has already wrapped his Ferrari around a pole, allegedly trying to avoid hitting a cat. Boonen is very popular in Belgium, not just among cycling fans. What a disappointment!

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