Ricardo Ricco, Saunier Duval's Italian rider, has tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), according to the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD).

The 24-year-old who has won two mountain stages in this year's race, tested positive for the banned subtance CERA (Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator) after a urine test. Ricco was questioned by French police and was driven away before the start of today's twelfth stage between Lavlanet and Narbonne.

As a result, Saunier Duval have withdrawn from this year's race.

Ricco was one of a number of riders targeted by the AFLD during the race and he was tested four times. The Italian won stages six and nine and was in ninth position overall, 2min 29sec behind Cadel Evans, the Australian race leader.

The French anti-doping authority confirmed Ricco's positive test related to the fourth stage of the Tour, the Cholet time-trial.

"It's for the same product as the other two," Pierre Bordry, president of the French anti-doping agency, said.

Ricco becomes the third rider to fail a drugs test in this year's race after Spanish riders Moises Duenas of Barloworld and Manuel Beltran of Liquigas also tested positive for EPO.

Juan Jose Cobo, Ricco's team-mate, said: "If this is confirmed, it is terrible news for the team."

In last year's race, Cofidis withdrew after Christian Moreni admitted to doping while Astana also pulled out after Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive.

More news to follow