CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Will Frischkorn said the talk among the riders in this year's Tour de France is of optimism surrounding the recent suspensions for positive doping tests.  

"There's a definite feeling of moving forward,'' said the Charleston native who is competing in his first Tour. "It's actually catching people these days. There's very few people taking the risk. We feel like it is making a difference finally.''

The 95th edition of cycling's most prestigious test of endurance and strength has already seen three doping scandals - forcing a team to drop out and French police to detain another rider - in the first two weeks of the three-week race. There have been nine doping-related scandals at the last two Tours.

This is the second straight year the event is without its defending champion. American Floyd Landis, the 2006 winner, became the first rider to be stripped of his title after a positive test. Michael Rasmussen, the overall leader after Stage 16, was fired by his team last year after allegedly avoiding a test.

Frischkorn said it's a slow process, but the sport is the cleanest it has been in years.

"In the past there was really more people taking the risks and not getting caught and I think it's shifted to the other direction," said Frischkorn, who finished second in the Tour's second stage this year.  "The people that are cheating are getting caught.

"It's how it should be, getting back to a clean sport. I think the testing is really that much more effective now. It's not really distracted from things. It's news but it passes quickly and we get back to racing our bikes. It's not been that much of a conversation topic these days.''

Frischkorn said the fans have responded this year along the routes.

"The crowds are phenomenal,'' he said. "It's amazing seeing all these people lining the road. It's really inspirational.''

As the Tour begins its ascent high into the Alps over the next few days and begins its march toward the finish in Paris, Frischkorn's three-year-old Garmin Chipotle team is right in the thick of it.

American Christian Vande Velde is in fifth place overall, just 39 seconds behind leader Frank Schleck of Luxembourg. The main job for Frischkorn, who is 139th overall, is to protect Vande Velde.

"It's been fantastic,'' said Frischkorn. "A great experience. The big focus now having Christian in the top five is working for him.

"What we've accomplished so far has exceeded expectations out there. Everybody feels like we have a legitimate shot at the podium if not the win and it's exciting to be a part of it.''

Reach Tommy R. Atkinson at 348-4811 or tatkin...@wvgazette.com.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Will Frischkorn said the talk among the riders in this year's Tour de France is of optimism surrounding the recent suspensions for positive doping tests.  

"There's a definite feeling of moving forward,'' said the Charleston native who is competing in his first Tour. "It's actually catching people these days. There's very few people taking the risk. We feel like it is making a difference finally.''

The 95th edition of cycling's most prestigious test of endurance and strength has already seen three doping scandals - forcing a team to drop out and French police to detain another rider - in the first two weeks of the three-week race. There have been nine doping-related scandals at the last two Tours.

This is the second straight year the event is without its defending champion. American Floyd Landis, the 2006 winner, became the first rider to be stripped of his title after a positive test. Michael Rasmussen, the overall leader after Stage 16, was fired by his team last year after allegedly avoiding a test.

Frischkorn said it's a slow process, but the sport is the cleanest it has been in years.

"In the past there was really more people taking the risks and not getting caught and I think it's shifted to the other direction," said Frischkorn, who finished second in the Tour's second stage this year.  "The people that are cheating are getting caught.

"It's how it should be, getting back to a clean sport. I think the testing is really that much more effective now. It's not really distracted from things. It's news but it passes quickly and we get back to racing our bikes. It's not been that much of a conversation topic these days.''

Frischkorn said the fans have responded this year along the routes.

"The crowds are phenomenal,'' he said. "It's amazing seeing all these people lining the road. It's really inspirational.''

As the Tour begins its ascent high into the Alps over the next few days and begins its march toward the finish in Paris, Frischkorn's three-year-old Garmin Chipotle team is right in the thick of it.

American Christian Vande Velde is in fifth place overall, just 39 seconds behind leader Frank Schleck of Luxembourg. The main job for Frischkorn, who is 139th overall, is to protect Vande Velde.

"It's been fantastic,'' said Frischkorn. "A great experience. The big focus now having Christian in the top five is working for him.

"What we've accomplished so far has exceeded expectations out there. Everybody feels like we have a legitimate shot at the podium if not the win and it's exciting to be a part of it.''

Reach Tommy R. Atkinson at 348-4811 or tatkin...@wvgazette.com.