While the presentation of team Bouygues Telecom was held yesterday, one of its riders is still waiting for an authorisation to continue as a professional cyclist in 2005: Franck Bouyer, who suffers from narcolepsy, a neurological disorder resulting in irresistible sleep attacks. While the illness can be treated with a drug called modafinil (Provigil), this medication figures among the list of banned substances. Bouyer therefore officially asked the UCI for the right to use the drug in competition, but his bid was declined, and he has not been racing since May 2004.
"I'm still in the same situation today", he told French website velomania.net. "I continue to train not knowing when I will be able to race again. I'm now waiting for a summons from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where I have appealed against the decision."
