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89th Tour de France - Grand Tour
France, July 6-28, 2002
Tour de France news for June 30, 2002
Edited by Jeff Jones
Laurent Roux non-negative for amphetamines
French rider Laurent Roux (Jean Delatour) has tested non-negative for amphetamines after an out of competition control taken at the end of April. The rider, who was not selected as part of Jean Delatour's Tour team as a result, was suspended by his team on May 29 for preventative reasons. Incredibly, the decision to exclude the Saeco team after Simoni's non-negative test from the Tour in favour of Jean Delatour, was made on June 3.
Team director Michel Gros said that before the results of his B sample are known, he will "Respect his defense. If he proves that he is not guilty as a result of the counter analysis, then he could be reintegrated. Otherwise, he will be dismissed after the results are known."
Roux previously tested positive to amphetamines during the Fleche Wallonne in 1999 and was suspended for 6 months. The 29 year old wearer of the polka dot jersey in last year's Tour will face a much longer ban if found guilty of a second offence.
Editorial note: 'Non-negative' is the term used by the UCI when a banned substance has been detected in the first sample from a rider, but not confirmed by analysis of the B sample.
UCI changes its doping rules for grand tours
First non-negative and you're out
In an attempt to avoid the confusion and bad feeling that occurred at times during the last Giro d'Italia, the UCI has decided to change the rules for riders testing 'non-negative' to banned substances during a stage race/world championships. After the first test, the rider will be excluded from the race, although they will not be considered 'positive' until the results of the B test are known. This is in line with the code of ethics adopted by the organisers of the three grand tours, although were not strictly enforced during the last Giro owing to the conflicting UCI rules at the time.
