Beloki & the Tour: will he or won't he?
The question of Brioches la Boulangère rider Joseba Beloki's participation in the 2004 Tour de France took another twist yesterday when he told news agency FEF that he would be riding, contrary to previous reports that he was about to pull out.
"In spite of my problems with allergies, the Tour is not in danger," said Beloki, adding that he would approach the Tour "with ambition."
"I have allergies and under French law I have problems with my treatment. If I cannot take my usual thing I will have problems in competition," he said. Beloki has a permit to use a medication containing cortisone, but this is not permitted under French regulations.
Between his slow recovery from the fall in last year's Tour in which he broke his hip, problems over his medication and the recent news that his team's sponsor is withdrawing at the end of 2004, Beloki has not had a great year so far. Now, he wants to put it all behind him and get on with racing.
"I expect that you will soon see the Beloki of last year again. I want to forget the problems and return to being a cyclist," he said. "I have recovered perfectly from the fall, but there were other complications. I was not a mistake to come to France and I affirm my decision."
Beloki said that despite everything he will be there when the 2004 Tour de France leaves Liege on July 3. "Now I am concentrating on the Alps, then I will ride the Route du Sud [June 19-22] then the Spanish championships and the Tour. Those are my immediate plans," said Beloki.
