Belgian cycling star Tom Boonen will know on February 3 if he has to face criminal charges over his positive test for cocaine, the judge investigating his case in the northern city of Turnhout
said Tuesday.

Boonen, a former world champion and winner of such prestigious races as
Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, tested positive for the recreational
drug in an out-of-competition test in May last year.

The 28-year-old escaped a sports sanction because the test was not held
under the auspices of a sport body.

But his team, Quick Step, were forced to pull him off their Tour de France
squad after race organizers expressed concerns.

Boonen was present for Tuesday’s procedural audience but told VRT
television that “I will only react once a definitive decision has been taken.”

According to sources at the prosecutors office Boonen risks between three
months and five years in prison and a fine of between 1,000 and 100,000 euros.

Boonen, who recently returned to live in Belgium from Monaco, admitted to
cocaine use in June and tried to win back fans’ support with a public apology.

File Photo by: CorVos Pro