Belgian rider Tom Boonen will compete in Tour of France

Belgian rider Tom Boonen has been cleared to compete in the Tour de France Friday after winning his appeal against a ban for testing positive for cocaine but fears his lack of preparation will hamper his ability to win the best sprinter's green jersey for a second time.

The French Olympic committee's arbitration panel handed down the decision on Friday, a day before the Tour is set to start in Monaco.

"Obviously I'm happy. I didn't have much time to think about the race, but I'll try to give my best", the former road race world champion said during a press conference. "I haven't looked at the road book yet, so I'm going to mark the stages where I can do something. It will be a real challenge".

Boonen appealed to French sports authorities for permission to ride in the three-week race after a court said it didn't have jurisdiction in the case.

Just like they did last year after his first infraction, Tour organizers ASO had sought to ban Boonen by saying the Belgian had damaged the race's image after testing positive in an out-of-competition test in April. Cocaine is not banned during out-of-competition periods, and the International Cycling Union (UCI) decided not to take action against the rider.

"The management of the Tour de France believes that, considering the
great champion that Tom Boonen is, he will relish the opportunity that has been given to him and that he will have an exemplary attitude during the event", Tour organizers said in a statement.

Boonen's Quick Step team welcomed the ruling, but regretted that a decision came so late.

"I'm relieved but I'm sorry that we had to go up to here,'' said team manager Patrick Lefevere. "This is not the ideal scenario. Pressure has been huge, not only on Tom Boonen's shoulders, but on the whole team.''

Boonen, one of the world's best sprinters and one-day classic riders, resumed cycling last month,  including the Dauphine Libere stage race.

In 2007, Boonen won the green jersey awarded to the Tour's best sprinter and is expected to be one of Mark Cavendish's main rivals in the fight for the king of sprint title. Boonen has already proved his form this season by winning Paris-Roubaix for a third time before winning the Belgian road title last month. But he doesn't feel confident enough to claim he can beat Cavendish.

"I haven't got my teeth in enough sprints recently, I don't know where I will be,'' Boonen said. "Now this story is over and I will try to get as focused as I can before tomorrow's start.''

Boonen said he didn't hold a grudge against Tour director Christian Prudhomme, who didn't call him after the French panel decision.

"I don't think he has got my phone number,'' Boonen said with a smile. "Revenge is stupid, this is the most stupid thing in the world. I will never ride out of revenge.''

Boonen, who has won six stages on the Tour, will replace Australian Allan Davis in the Quick Step team.