When Charleston native Will Frischkorn was riding through the French countryside Saturday in his first Tour de France, he probably wasn't thinking about doping and suspensions.

There's no doubt he was enjoying the moment, the wind rushing by his face as he realized a lifelong dream. Unfortunately for most sports fans, cycling's oldest test of endurance and strength has lost some of its luster.

Several years of doping scandals has left the Tour in disarray. This is the second straight year the event is without its defending champion and in 2006 a major drug scandal sidelined many of the top riders. Last year's winner, American Floyd Landis, became the first rider to be stripped of his title after a positive test.

Frischkorn, who is one of nine riders for the 3-year-old Garmin-Chipotle team, said his sport is the cleanest it has been in years and is ready for a return as one of sport's premier events.

"I think the sport is finally at a place now where we can look forward to a clean future,'' Frischkorn said Friday via e-mail from France. "It's often forgotten that cycling is one of the few sports that actually attacked the issue of doping.

"Doping has certainly been an issue in the past, but recently there's been a long-needed shift in mentality across the board. Cycling is still a beautiful sport and we're fortunate to have amazing fans that stuck with us through the tough times.''

Frischkorn finished his first stage 161st Saturday, 2 minutes behind winner Alejandro Valverde of Spain, who covered the 122.7-mile mostly flat course from Brest to Plumelec, France, in 4 hours, 36 minutes, 7 seconds.

Frischkorn helped clear the way though for Garmin-Chipotle teammates David Millar (11th) and Christian Vandevelde (18th), the team's top rider. (For results, see Page 2D.)

The 95th Tour de France begins winding its way this week through France, the Pyrennes, the Alps and Italy before ending its 2,175-mile journey in Paris on July 27 along the Champs-Elysee.

The 27-year-old Frischkorn is just one of four Americans competing in this year's Tour and is believed to be the first West Virginian to compete in the event.

"It's a true honor to line up alongside the other three Americans in this year's event in what's arguably the largest sporting event in the world,'' he said. "Representing the U.S. and the Garmin-Chipotle team is a dream come true.''

Frischkorn didn't find out he was racing in the Tour until June 24.

When Charleston native Will Frischkorn was riding through the French countryside Saturday in his first Tour de France, he probably wasn't thinking about doping and suspensions.

There's no doubt he was enjoying the moment, the wind rushing by his face as he realized a lifelong dream. Unfortunately for most sports fans, cycling's oldest test of endurance and strength has lost some of its luster.

Several years of doping scandals has left the Tour in disarray. This is the second straight year the event is without its defending champion and in 2006 a major drug scandal sidelined many of the top riders. Last year's winner, American Floyd Landis, became the first rider to be stripped of his title after a positive test.

Frischkorn, who is one of nine riders for the 3-year-old Garmin-Chipotle team, said his sport is the cleanest it has been in years and is ready for a return as one of sport's premier events.

"I think the sport is finally at a place now where we can look forward to a clean future,'' Frischkorn said Friday via e-mail from France. "It's often forgotten that cycling is one of the few sports that actually attacked the issue of doping.

"Doping has certainly been an issue in the past, but recently there's been a long-needed shift in mentality across the board. Cycling is still a beautiful sport and we're fortunate to have amazing fans that stuck with us through the tough times.''

Frischkorn finished his first stage 161st Saturday, 2 minutes behind winner Alejandro Valverde of Spain, who covered the 122.7-mile mostly flat course from Brest to Plumelec, France, in 4 hours, 36 minutes, 7 seconds.

Frischkorn helped clear the way though for Garmin-Chipotle teammates David Millar (11th) and Christian Vandevelde (18th), the team's top rider. (For results, see Page 2D.)

The 95th Tour de France begins winding its way this week through France, the Pyrennes, the Alps and Italy before ending its 2,175-mile journey in Paris on July 27 along the Champs-Elysee.

The 27-year-old Frischkorn is just one of four Americans competing in this year's Tour and is believed to be the first West Virginian to compete in the event.

"It's a true honor to line up alongside the other three Americans in this year's event in what's arguably the largest sporting event in the world,'' he said. "Representing the U.S. and the Garmin-Chipotle team is a dream come true.''

Frischkorn didn't find out he was racing in the Tour until June 24.

"I was on a long list for the Tour team since the start of the season,'' said Frischkorn, who splits his time living in Boulder, Colo., and Girona, Spain.

"I was obviously excited, but having been with this program since its inception as a professional squad there was a great sense of satisfaction seeing what was only a few years ago a young, development focused team now at the Tour de France and getting to be part of that group.''

Frischkorn's duties this year, while not glamorous, are important for the team's success. 

"I'm one of the team domestiques here to work for our leaders helping them with anything they may need over the next three weeks,'' he said. "Whether that's going back to the car to grab bottles [of water], food, drop off clothing, help them back after flat tires or position them going into climbs or sprints.''

Frischkorn said his passion for cycling developed in the hills of West Virginia.

"Growing up in West Virginia gave me an amazing place to start playing on a bike,'' he said. "Kanawha State Forest was just minutes away from home and the opportunity to hit up some of the best single-track I've still ever ridden, every day after school, was something I didn't appreciate at the time. Looking back now I couldn't imagine having a park like that in my backyard.''

Frischkorn attended John Adams Middle School until his parents, Rebecca and Carl Frischkorn, sent him to Milton Academy in Massachusetts for his freshman and sophomore years.

Will moved to Colorado Springs the next year to live at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. His family moved from Charleston to Charlottesville, Va., where he spent his senior year before setting out on his professional career after graduating high school.

Frischkorn, who rides in 80 to 90 races each year, said he hopes this month's opportunity is just the beginning.

"To some day win a stage at the Tour would be amazing, but I'm a strong support rider with a good head for tactics and what needs to be done out on the road.

"There's a great sense of satisfaction riding selflessly in support of the team leaders and there's a great career in that role as well. To be a strong domestique and occasionally grab an opportunistic win would make for a fantastic career on the bike.''

Check out Frischkorn's blog at www.willfrischkorn.missingsaddle.com. Also go to www.velonews.com to read his daily diary and more information about this year's Tour de France. Reach Tommy R. Atkinson at 348-4811 or tatkin...@wvgazette.com.