I write in defence of the comments made in my Tour de France Grand Depart letter recently published in the Gazette & Herald (June 18, 2014).

Mr Fielding, of Marton, while acknowledging the central points I made in that letter, has taken umbrage at my reference to instances of drug abuse by competitors in the Tour de France.

Mr Fielding’s defence of the event is, however, fatally flawed.

His reference to the recent victories by British riders does not obscure the fact that if one Googles “drugs use in cycling”, a damning catalogue of offences is laid bare for all to see.

While I have no problem with being labelled “rude” and “nasty”, unlike Mr Fielding I certainly cannot be accused of burying my head in the sand.

Councillor Peter Walker, Norton, Independent Member for Norton East.