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Beloki makes comeback after crash



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PARIS, March 26 (Reuters) -- Spaniard Joseba Beloki, sidelined since his spectacular crash in the Tour de France last year, returns to competition in the Criterium race on Saturday.

Beloki, second in the 2002 Tour, was forced out of the Tour with multiple fractures after crashing in front of final winner Lance Armstrong on July 14.

He has joined French team Brioches-La Boulangere this season from ONCE and has had to postpone his return to competition with various health problems.

"He is coming to begin his reconstruction," said team director Jean-Rene Bernaudeau.

"He is impatient but will come to the Criterium international only to help his team-mates, who in turn will help him during the Tour," he added.

Beloki, who was third in the Tour in 2000 and 2001, was expected to start his season last month but had to put back his return because of Achilles tendon problems.

The Criterium international will feature a world class field including five-times Tour de France winner Armstrong, Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov, Briton David Millar and Australians Baden Cooke and Bradley McGee.

The race takes place in the Ardennes region of northern France over Saturday and Sunday.

Kelme ruled out

Organizers of the Tour de France on Friday ruled out the possibility of the scandalised Kelme team being handed a wildcard invitation to this year's race.

The decision comes days after ex-Kelme professional Jesus Manzano blew the whistle on what he claims to be systematic doping within the Spanish team.

Tour organizers announced the 21 teams for this year's race - at which American Lance Armstrong will be bidding for a record sixth victory - last month.

But they had left open the possibility of a 22nd team participating.


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