Boonen thrilled to join Tour after ban lifted

July 03, 2009

Belgian cycling star Tom Boonen says he is thrilled to be competing in the Tour de France after being granted a shock eleventh hour reprieve. Quick Step's former world road race champion had been barred from the world's most gruelling cycling race following a positive test for cocaine in April. He was cleared to race by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday. Images and soundbites of Boonen's press conference