DOPING

I forgot to mention that some riders are forced to abandon the race due to doping.

After each stage, some riders (and especially those on the podium for the day) are tested for illegal substances.

If they're found positive for anything deemed illegal (and this could open a whole can of worms on what constitutes an illegal substance), they're out of the race and subject to an investigation.

One rider that I know of has been yanked from the 2008 Tour because he tested positive for EPO. This rider is Moises Nevado of the Barloworld squad.

He was tested after his finish in the time trial seven stages ago and overnight he was informed that he was out of the race. He was in 19th place overall after ten stages.