Tour Readmits Virenque

Thu., July 1, 1999

The Tour de France reluctantly lifted its drug-related ban on rider Richard Virenque, but general director Jean-Marie Leblanc said there will be a legal fight to restore the suspension.

The Tour was ordered by the International Cycling Union on Tuesday to allow Virenque to race.

Although Leblanc said the order will be obeyed, he called it a “takeover by force, three days before the start of the Tour de France.”

Virenque, one of France’s most popular riders, was barred because he is among those being investigated for using banned substances.

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Tour Readmits Virenque

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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