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 So, Thursday's 17th stage began without a rider in the yellow jersey of the race leader. When Spaniard Alberto Contador shouldered that burden hours later, it was business as usual at this year's Tour
-- scorn and suspicion, followed by vows of clean riding.
"Contador's performance is suspicious -- very suspicious," AG2R manager Vincent Lavenu said. "But we can't say anything unless he's caught in a doping check. I don't trust this team. Maybe one day we'll know."
Contador, who rides for Discovery Channel, didn't wait to reassure cycling fans that he would not taint the yellow jersey.
"I am clean," he said. "If I weren't, I wouldn't be here."
Contador led Australia's Cadel Evans, by 1 minute, 53 seconds. Teammate Levi Leipheimer of the United States is third, 2:49 back.
The 24-year-old Spaniard is just three days from victory. The Tour might be years away from recovering its dignity.
"It is bad for the Tour, the yellow jersey leaving," said 21-year-old Geraint Thomas, the Tour's youngest rider.
In an interview with The Associated Press before the Tour, race director Christian Prudhomme said cycling's governing body, the UCI, should have received the "Golden Ostrich" prize for burying its head in the sand.
That proved impossible the past two days.
In the span of 30 hours, from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday night, a 104-year-old institution was torn down.
First came the news of Alexandre Vinokourov's positive test for a banned blood transfusion.
While the main pack was reeling from losing its most popular rider, it was announced midway through Wednesday's stage that Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone. The Italian rider didn't deny it, and he was carted off by police.
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With riders winding down late Wednesday night, it was announced Rasmussen had been booted out.
"Too much, too much," said German rider Markus Fothen, who rides for Gerolsteiner and finished second in Thursday's 117-mile stage from Pau to Castelsarrasin.
"Every day it's new news," Fothen said. "Moreni yesterday, Rasmussen. I'm so tired."
By the roadside, homemade banners reflected the public's feelings.
"The Tour keeps its libido without EPO," read one in French, referring to the performance-enhancing drug once at the top of the menu for cycling cheats. Blood transfusions and testosterone have replaced EPO.
Missed drug tests, ignored warnings, lies to teammates and infighting between race organizers and cycling's top brass were thrown into the Tour pot until it bubbled over.
Three days remain.
Riders get another mostly flat ride Friday, a 131-mile course from Cahors to Angouleme, before Saturday's time trial and Sunday's ride to the finish in Paris, where it's unclear what kind of reception awaits them.
[Associated Press;
by Jerome Pugmire]
Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten, John Leicester and Jean-Luc Courthial all contributed to this report.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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