Cycling braces for another doping bombshell as riders from '98 Tour de France are linked to EPO

CYCLING is bracing for another doping bombshell after riders from the infamous '98 Tour de France are allegedly linked to EPO abuse.

EPO protest

CYCLING is bracing for another doping bombshell after some of the sport's most illustrious figures have been allegedly linked by the French Government to EPO abuse on the infamous 1998 Tour de France.

It is understood most retrospective tests for EPO from the '98 Tour have returned positive and could compromise the coaching careers of several former riders.

The results of the testing will be published Wednesday as part of a French Senate inquiry examining the effectiveness of anti-doping measures since the so-called "Tour of Dopage" in '98.

The Tour was won by Italian Marco Pantani, who died in 2004 after a cocaine overdose as his life spiralled amid doping accusations. Jan Ullrich is among the high-profile riders to admit cheating on the '98 Tour.

Four Australians raced that year: Stuart O'Grady, who won a stage and wore the yellow jersey, Robbie McEwen, Patrick Jonker and Neil Stephens. The Herald Sun does not suggest any of them used illegal substances.

Stage winners on the '98 Tour included Englishman Chris Boardman, Pantani, Mario Cipollini and Ullrich.

Samples from the '98 Tour were re-analysed in 2004 and French newspaper L'Equipe claims most were positive for EPO. French officials have interviewed 84 people since March, comparing retrospective results with contemporary data to come up with the names of the offending riders.

Champion French rider Laurent Jalabert stood down from his commentary role on this year's Tour after being accused of testing positive to EPO from a '98 sample.

There was no test to detect EPO 15 years ago.

Jalabert told the French Senate in May he could not firmly say he had not doped, but had trusted his team's staff on the injections and medications he had received.

It is understood no official action can be taken against riders who are found to have used EPO in '98 because there are no B samples.