Cycling's image at the crossroads

Cycling's image at the crossroads

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

The Tour de France, still reeling from last year's doping affairs, will face the daunting task of restoring cycling's image when it starts its three-week journey of more than 3,500km on Saturday.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

All doping tests will be conducted by the French Anti-Doping Agency since the race has been put under the jurisdiction of the French federation because of a long-standing row between organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and the International Cycling Union over who decides on the teams taking part in their events.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

Astana were asked to leave the race last year after Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov tested positive following his stage win in Albi.

Then leader Denmark's Michael Rasmussen (left) was kicked out of the event for allegedly lying on his training whereabouts and the Cofidis team withdrew after Italian Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

For the first time since 1967, there will be no prologue and sprinters will find it hard to shine in the first week, with mostly hilly stages favouring the audacious.

Cycling's image at the crossroads

July 2, 2008

One year after the Rasmussen scandal, the Rabobank team are also likely to shine on the French roads with Russian Denis Menchov, but also three-times world champion Oscar Freire (in picture) and Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha.