The positive doping test for Euskaltel-Euskadi’s Mikel Astarloza means that, again, there will likely be some significant changes to the history books of the Tour de France.
Chief beneficiary of the Basque cyclist’s wrong doing is set to be Frenchman Sandy Casar. The Française des Jeux rider was in the breakaway on the 16th stage from between Martigny and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, when Astarloza claimed what likely “would have been” his first victory on the road. Should the charges hold, this would add another stage win to match the Frenchman’s stage victory in the 2007 edition of the race.
Not only would Casar have another Tour stage to his name, but he would also move up the standings in the general classification to 11th, the place that Astarloza would have had he not been caught cheating.
Casar wants to see how it plays out first saying, “I prefer to wait to be sure.”
If the Basque decides to fight the charges, it could be a while before anything is official.