With 2006 winner Floyd Landis fighting doping charges and cycling under intense pressure to clean up, the 189 riders scheduled to start the Tour de France on Saturday will be scrutinised more than ever.
Doping scandals have damaged the sport’s credibility to such an extent that the July 7-29 race is starting without a defending champion and several other big-names.
“We are still in a difficult and heavy climate,” AG2R cyclist Christophe Moreau said.
Pre-Tour talk is less about who will win, but rather whether the champion’s yellow jersey can be won cleanly.
“There have been a lot of problems,” T-Mobile rider Michael Rogers said.
While many riders have been suspended or fired, others are preparing for 7.9-km prologue in England’s capital armed with medical certificates allowing certain products to be used.
That has led to doubts whether prescriptions may actually mask other doping products.
“Last year, 60 percent of riders tested on the Tour had medical authorisations,” France’s Anti-Doping chief Pierre Bordry said on Wednesday. “The AUT (a medical authorization) can become a passport for doping.” According to the International Cycling Union, up to 40 percent of riders at this year’s race have an AUT.