The story

Belgian Tom Boonen has been granted a shock late reprieve to compete in the Tour de France, which begins in Monaco on Saturday.

The former world champion had been barred by Tour organizers following a positive test for cocaine, but was cleared to race in a ruling given by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday.

It was Boonen's second failed test in a year. He also missed the Tour in 2008 because he tested positive for the drug in May last year. Read full article »