Boonen out of Tour de France, Thor's plans don't change

Tom Boonen will not be welcome in this year's Tour de France after he was recently caught on the use of cocaine in an out-of-competition-control. New opportunities for Thor as one of his main rivals for the Green Jersey won't be there. We got some first reactions from him:

Thor: “I haven't, to be honest, thought much about whether or not he'll be there in July at all. I don't know if he will be. This is much more serious than the Tour. It's a very sad situation, a very worrying one, and one that's not good for cycling at all. Rules though, are there to be followed.”
Indeed, after all negative doping issues, the Boonen affair is yet another blow to cycling. In that respect Boonen's absence is for the better. Now all attention can be focused on the sport.


Thor: “I like sprinting against Tom Boonen, and I haven't thought about whether it'll be good or bad for me in the battle for the Tour de France green jersey if he is or isn't there.”
In the actual sprint for sure it will be easier, but on the other hand it is one strong team less that will be working to keep the bunch together. It will be tougher on Thor's team.

Quotes from: cyclingweekly.co.uk