Italy’s Riccardo Ricco, winner of two stages in this year’s Tour de France, was the first rider to test positive for the banned blood booster EPO. His demise cast a further shadow on the venerable French race and condemned team Saunier Duval to an early exit. Read more.

FRANCE 24’s viewers have sent in many reactions to express their disappointment or satisfaction with the fight against doping in sporting events like Tour de France.

For many viewers, the fight against doping must go on.

Gnanan from Cote d’Ivoire strongly supports the crackdown on athletes taking drugs and feels a prestigious sporting event like Tour de France can be free of doping scandals.

Many people also wrote in saying participants should undergo systematic tests to make sure they are not taking drugs to enhance their performance. However, Christine Moloney from London pointed out that it would be a logistical nightmare to test every rider in a tournament like Tour de France.

For Moloney,  "testing the first three riders over the finish line at each stage could be a viable option. Look at it from a rider's point of view; if you had taken dubious substances, and you knew that if you finished in the top three you would be immediately tested as a result, you might think twice (or do an awful lot of hanging back which would look very suspicious). Doping has become prevalent in most sports now, and the powers that be must come up with a reasonably cheap and effective way of eradicating it; or at least make it as difficult as possible for the cheats to continue.”

“Too much money at stake”

French viewers like Morin feel there is too much money at stake, which pushes sportsmen to the extent of taking drugs. “It’s sad to see participants resort to drugs, maybe the amount of money at stake should be reduced,” Morin writes.

For another French viewer, “Doping has always existed but with growing competition and high stakes, players no longer hesitate to break the rules. There is no more respect and honour in the sporting event (Tour de France)”

“Good, but not enough”

According to a viewer from Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire, “steps taken against riders like Riccardo Ricco are good but more needs to be done.” He suggests penalizing doctors who are often involved in such cases and who often test the participants before every stage in the cycling event.

For Sylvain from France, Tour de France is less of a sporting event and more of a chemistry competition. “The team with the latest and the most innovative drugs passes the tests successfully and has more chances of winning.

Alec from Manchester wonders if  “Tour de France can really be won without cheating?”