PARIS, June 16, 2008 (AFP) – Belgian rider Tom Boonen will compete for the first time since the revelation of his positive test for cocaine, when he takes part in this week’s Ster Elektrotoer race, his Quick Step team confirmed on Monday.

Boonen, 27, will be team leader in the stage race which starts in the Netherlands on Tuesday.

The 2005 world champion and reigning Paris-Roubaix champion was banned by organizers from competing in this week’s Tour of Switzerland because of the positive test.

The sprinter was also barred from starting next month’s Tour de France, a decision which Tour organizers confirmed on Monday.

Boonen, the winner of last year’s green jersey for the Tour’s points competition, tested positive in an out-of-competition control last month.

Tour organizers on Monday met with representatives of the Quick Step team who had been hoping for a change of mind given that Boonen will not face sanctions under international rules.

“It’s damaging to the integrity of the Tour and the all the teams,” said Tour director Christian Prudhomme.

Australian rider Robbie McEwen, winner of Monday’s third stage of the Tour of Switzerland, said the Tour de France organizers had no choice but to have done what they did.

“In cycling’s current climate, the organizers (of the Tour de France) didn’t have too much choice,” he said. “It’s the only decision that they could take.”