The 2015 Tour De France has its first drug controversy and the race hasn’t even started yet

Plus ca change.

A bit like Fox Mulder in the X-Files we want to believe that cycling is finally getting its act together and trying to get rid of the air of  suspicion about almost every man that takes to his bike over the next few weeks in the sport's marquee event, the Tour De France. However it's hard to avoid developing not just a cynical edge, but an air of indifference to the longest sporting event in the world after news of a drug related controversy within the team of the defending champion. Vincenzo Nibali's Astana team are still set to allow their rider Lars Boom take part in the race despite the announcement last night that the rider showed below normal cortisol levels, which can indicate abuse of cortisone. He has not failed a test and the low levels are not an automatic expulsion from the race as it is not a doping violation, but under a voluntary code drawn up by the Movement for Credible Cycling, of which Astana are a member, he should be removed from competition for a period of eight days. That would have meant a whole pile of re-organisation from Astana and efforts to try and get a replacement rider, but it has just been confirmed that indeed nine Astana riders will line up for the opening day of action this afternoon. The UCI has given the go-ahead because Boom's failure to reach the acceptable level of cortisol is due to asthma and he is not in violation of doping policy according to a statement issued by the team,

'Astana Pro Team will start the 2015 Tour de France with nine riders, including Dutch cyclist Lars Boom - 'After the 3 July receipt of blood tests administered by the UCI on 2 July that showed a low level of cortisol, Astana Pro Team medical staff examined Boom in order to assess the athlete's health and viability for the 2015 Tour de France start in Utrecht.' 'As such, a low cortisol level is grounds to stop a rider for a minimum eight days of competition in order to prevent any health risk to the rider according to rules established by the MPCC, of which Astana Pro Team is a member.' 'Astana Pro Team asked the UCI to allow a replacement rider in place of Boom, and received confirmation from the UCI that as a low cortisol result is no risk to the health of the rider, therefore there are no valid grounds for a late substitution.' 'Team medical staff have advised that Boom's low cortisol result is the consequence of a long-standing and well-known application of anti-asthma therapy by the athlete and is not a violation of UCI rules and regulations.' 'Team medical staff have advised that there is no danger to the rider's health or safety to start the 2015 Tour de France.' 'Astana Pro Team medical staff will continue to monitor Boom to assess any potential health risk for the athlete, and will retest the athlete in the next days with independent medical supervision to clarify the origins of the CADF results.'

The race has not yet even begun yet but already we've got a very bitter taste in our mouth. Not that Astana seem to care with this pretty provocative tweet with the title of 'tick tick boom boom.' https://twitter.com/AstanaTeam/status/617272183778377728 H/T to Astana