I was quite surprised to read the comment piece from Rupert Guinness in the Sydney Morning Herald  dated May 9, 2007. The headline reads "Dirt on dope keeps being wheeled up in grubby tour de farce".

The editorial underlines Guinness' recent frustrations which were prompted following Ivan Basso's confessions of drugs use after the Italian was named in Operation Puerto.

It's the latest in a long line of scandals which has kept world cycling on the front pages for all the wrong reason since the Festina affair at the 1998 Tour de France.

Guinness claims that cycling is as dirty as it ever was. He finishes his tirade with a question and answer. How much has cycling really changed when it comes to drugs? Answer: not  at all.

Now, first and foremost, Rupert is a good mate of mine. We've often shared some memorbale moments in battle during our time as cycling journos at the Tour de France. I rate Rupert as the most qualified cycling writer whose knowledge and passion for the sport is second-to-none. His journalistic insights are respected worldwide.

Having said that, I think he's got it wrong this time!

I, like the millions of cycling followers worldwide, have been gutted by the scandals which have rocked the sport.

After Floyd Landis tested positive immediately after winning last year's Tour de France, it took me months to get over the shock - to the point where I threw my arms in the air with disillusion.

But why is cycling different to any other sport? You can't tell me doping doesn't exist in world football, swimming, athletics and rugby - to name but a few.

While cycling's highest authorities have done their best to weed out the drugs cheats - as Rupert points out  - the drug cheats just won't go away.

It's not to say the sport is dying. In fact, I feel the major events such as the European Spring Classics and the Grand Tours are as popular than ever.

The Tour de France for example, has a magnetism and romantic edge that is overpowering.

As mentioned many times in the past, the Tour is more than just a cycle race. It is an event which is embraced by history, culture and spectacular scenery and is an extension of the Frenchman and woman - an event which has gained international appeal.

No rider will ever be bigger than the Tour or the sport for that matter. It will never die, no matter how much dirt is thrown at it.

Seems to me that Rupert has finally raised the white flag and joined the bandwagon of cycling cynics who have had enough.