For those interested in the history of doping at the TdF:
Tour De France Doping Timeline
(Jul 28, 2006) 1903
In the first stage of the inaugural Tour de France, Hippolyte Aucouturier retired with stomach cramps. He had been dosing himself throughout with draughts of red wine.
1924
First real drug scandal, when the Pelissier brothers admitted using everything from chloroform, cocaine, aspirin and "horse ointment" . "In short, we run on dynamite."
Post Second World War
Riders start using the amphetamine pills that were given to soldiers. The great Italian legend, Fausto Coppi, said he used speed, "only when I have to." And how often is that? "Almost all the time."
1967
England's Tom Simpson died on the slopes of Mont Ventoux during the 13th stage. He had taken amphetamines and alcohol, a combination which proved fatal when coupled with the hot conditions, the notoriously hard climb and a pre-existing stomach complaint.
1968
Sparked by the death of Simpson, the Tour de France starts drug testing.
1978
Michel Pollentier used a sample of someone else's urine. Tour officials tell Pollentier he's drug free, but also pregnant -- he had used his wife's urine.
1980
Dutch rider Gert-Jan Theunisse is busted for the second time in two years. He is allowed to continue on a technicality. The peleton goes on strike saying he should be banned.
1998
Banned drugs, including blood-boosting EPO, found in Festina team car. Festina is kicked out of the race. Top cyclist Richard Virenque is banned for nine months. Riders stage protest over drug raids.
1999 Giro d'Italia
Tour de France and Giro champion Marco Pantani of Italy is expelled while leading race after failing a blood haematocrit test.
2002
French police arrest the wife of Lithuanian rider Raimondas Rumsas. She claims the testosterone, EPO and steroids are for her ailing mother. Rumsas, who finished third in the Tour, denies doping products were for him.
2003
American sensation Tyler Hamilton finishes fourth despite a broken collarbone. He is banned from cycling in 2004 for drug use.
2004
Five riders, including Briton David Millar are kicked out on doping charges. Millar returns in 2006 and places 59th.
2005
French police question Italian rider Dario Frigo before the start of the 11th stage in the Alps after finding performance-enhancing drugs in a car driven by his wife.
August 2005
French sports magazine L'Equipe claims to have proof that seven-time Tour champion, Lance Armstrong uses EPO in 1999. Armstrong denies and "scandal" fizzles.
July 2006
Pre-Tour is rocked when Germany's 1997 Tour winner Jan Ullrich and Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso, are named in Spanish drug investigation. Both denied any involvement. Nine riders leave the tour.
2006
American Floyd Landis wins the Tour. After a sluggish Stage 16 race, Landis re-claims the lead on the 17th stage with a stunning comeback ride through the Alps.
2006
Four days after the Tour, Landis tests positive for testosterone. The sample was from his Stage 17 ride. Landis's B sample has yet to be tested but the race was beset by doping problems before it started.
SOURCES: cyclingnews.com, guardian.co.uk, CP files
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