Canrugby was one very cynical poster who had a lot to say about drugs in the Tour de France this year and he happily accused off one of sports most likeable superstars of drug abuse without the tiniest shred of evidence . . . but there were quite a few others as well. Well, I hope that Canrugby and the other Tour de France bashers take note of today's press release by the UCI. Just in case they missed it, I'll reproduce it here . . .
"Cycling's governing body has revealed that no riders tested positive for doping in this year's Tour de France.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) analysed 622 samples, including 203 taken from riders in training and 419 during the three-week race, which was won by Team Sky's Chris Froome.
Froome, like Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2012, was the subject of persistent questioning about doping during the race, but UCI anti-doping manager Francesca Rossi said: "We tested him a lot."
A total of 443 blood samples and 179 urine samples were taken.
Rossi added: "We don't have any adverse finding from the Tour de France. We changed the strategy. We were unpredictable and the riders perceived we were unpredictable."
The number of tests was an increase from the 2012 race, when 566 were carried out. Last year, Frank Schleck, of Luxembourg, tested positive for a banned diuretic."
419 random and unpredictable tests conducted during the race by the sports organisation with the world's most sophisticated and up-to-date anti-drug tests. . . "a lot" of those on the winner Chris Froome . . . and a grand total of zero positive results! Zero!
Just 320 days to go!!!
