Boonen out of Tour de France but Quick Step may sue

BELGIUM'S Tom Boonen has been banned from taking part in the Tour de France for the second successive year following his positive drug test for cocaine - organisers ASO have announced.

DOWN AND OUT: Tom Boonen has been denied the chance to compete in Tour de France for second succesive year due to positive cocaine test

Boon, 28, tested positive for cocaine in April, a year after first failing a test for the same drug, and race organisers have decided to deny Boonen the chance to compete.

Cycling's world governing body UCI have previously stated they could not complete disciplinary action before the 2009 Tour de France gets under way on July 4, suggesting Boonen would be able to compete.

But ASO have concluded the Quick Step man does not belong in le Tour.

"The image of Tom Boonen is not compatible with that of the Tour de France," the ASO said in a statement.

"In these circumstances and in order to preserve his reputation, his image and those of the Tour de France, the ASO group has decided not to accept the presence of Tom Boonen in its event."

Boonen, despite his continued drug and alcohol problems, has been whole-heartedly backed by Quick Step - who are threatening to sue over the 2005 world champion's exclusion.

"The sporting and economic damage for team and sponsors (which would arise from) the absence of Tom in the biggest race of the year are incalculable," said Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere.

The UCI were planning disciplinary action of their own but have now decided against it, in the wake of ASO's decision.

"Finally, the UCI Management Committee has decided not to institute disciplinary proceedings against Mr Tom Boonen for having allegedly taken cocaine out of competition, after the Belgian rider supplied a number of elements in his defence," read a UCI statement.

Boonen has already been forced to sit out the Giro d'Italia as close rival Mark Cavendish romped to three stage wins.