Pubdate: 17 June 1999 Source: Scotsman (UK) Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 1999 Contact: http://www.scotsman.com/ Forum: http://www.scotsman.com/ DRUGS SCANDAL RIDERS BARRED FROM TOUR ITALIAN team Polti's French rider Richard Virenque - at the centre of last year's Tour de France drugs scandal - has been barred from this year's race. Two further French cyclists and the Dutch TVM team, as well as the director of Spanish outfit ONCE, have also been excluded. The action of the Tourorganisers may cause further withdrawals, with France's world No1 Laurent Jalabert already pulling out apparently in support of the banned ONCE director. Hein Verbruggen, president of the world governing body, the International Cycling Union, said he understood the position of the Tour organisers. However, he added: "I regret the consequences that will follow in reviving controversy and potential judicial processes." Virenque was the leader of the disgraced Festina team expelled from the Tour after its masseur Willy Voet was arrested with a car-boot full of drugs. Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc said: "Richard Virenque is not welcome at this year's Tour. According to the evidence his presence is incompatible to the image and reputation of the event." The 1997 Tour runner-up and four-times King of the Mountains, Virenque has been charged by magistrates over the drugs debacle, and is embroiled in a second police investigation. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea