I had hoped to do my first update sometime during the first week of the Tour, but events have taken a turn that requires a pre race update. Several riders including Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich, Francisco Mancebo and Joseba Beloki have been forced to withdraw from the race due to an ongoing doping scandal in Spain. Bravo, I say.

The riders are suspected of doping based on information acquired during a civil investigation in Spain. A team director and several doctors were found with doping products and a list of names. The above names, and others, were on the list.

There will be an immediate outcry that they are all innocent until proven guilty and that the Tour should not take any action. Too bad. They will argue that other riders are getting their dope elsewhere and are not being banned. That is true, but my reply is still too bad.

More than any other entity, it is the Tour that has been hurt by ongoing doping scandals and accusations. The riders can retire after having made their money, the teams continue on with new sponsors. It is the Tour whose reputation and long term marketability are damaged. I support their efforts in their entirety. We have ample evidence that we are in a time where the ability to dope exceeds the ability to detect the doping. For the Tour to ban people based on evidence that may not lead to a conviction is entirely appropriate. The Tour has given ample opportunity to for cycling to clean itself up and it hasn’t happened. The 800 pound gorilla is now taking matters into its own hands.

The cycling world should also take note that the Spanish investigation is a civil affair. The UCI, which governs cycling, took no part. That is no accident. The UCI has long since demonstrated its uselessness in stopping doping. Indeed, as the UCI really only represents the riders and teams, it has no interest in stopping doping.

For the race itself, three of the favorites are now gone. My prediction of Landis is looking a lot more solid, but the pure climbers like Mayo now will have far fewer teams chasing them down in the mountains. American Bobby Julich may also step up to lead CSC. He has had excellent form all year and cannot be discounted. Riders like Gilberto Simoni and Stefano Garzelli must also now be considered threats due to their climbing ability.

Anyways, watch the race. It is still not as clean as it needs to be, but the Tour has taken one big step in the right direction.

Update: The Astana - Wurth team has left the Tour and thus Alexandre Vinokourov will not be riding.