August 10, 2008 (Paris, France) – French rider Jimmy Casper (Agritubel) failed a doping test for asthma medication during the 2008 Tour de France reports AFP. Because he did not have a valid therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for beclometasone dipropionate (known commercially as Beclovent in Canada and Becotide in France), the case is being treated as doping and Casper has been suspended from his team.

He admits to using the asthma medication, but claims to be asthmatic and that he had a valid TUE for another medication for many years. Casper recently switched medications and is not sure if he was negligent in not notifying authorities or if his doctor was at fault.

The 30-year-old French cyclist has asked the FFC (French Cycling Federation) and the UCI for leniency. Casper apparently holds the distinction of twice finishing the TdF in last position, unofficially earning him the lanterne rouge (red lantern that signifies the caboose of a long train). In 2008, Casper was disqualified for finishing outside of the prescribed time limit (hors delai) and is officially counted among the 35 withdrawals from the TdF.

Five riders have now tested positive at doping tests during the 2008 TdF. The others include Manuel Beltran (Liquigas), Moisés Dueñas (Barloword), Dmitriy Fofonov (Crédit Agricole) and Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval). A total of 180 cyclists started the TdF on July 5.

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