Paris - Belgian cyclist Tom Boonen is to take legal action against the organizers of the Tour de France over their refusal to allow the 2005 world road race champion take part in this year's race because he tested positive for cocaine. The 28-year-old Boonen, a Belgian who rides for the Quick Step team and is considered one of the strongest sprinters in the world, will have his case heard by a court in Paris on Monday.
"Quick Step and Tom Boonen have decided to use all legal options available to fight this decision," said the rider's team in a statement.
In April of this year, Boonen tested positive for cocaine for the second time in one year in an out-of-competition doping test.
The doping test was administered two weeks after Boonen won the prestigious Paris-Roubaix one-day road race for the third time.
Cocaine is not considered a performance-enhancing drug by cycling authorities and suspension is not automatic after a positive test. But Boonen was also barred from the Tour de France last year after he tested positive for cocaine.
