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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As a result, Saunier Duval have withdrawn from this year's race.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.
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First saulnier duval is a spanish team, not a french one...and Festina was french, with french riders : Virenque was THE french star, and he has been banned.
to john davis, vinita, USA, Paris,
Yet another dope addict has cast a dark shadow over Le Tour. What is hard to understand is why do they do it. You would think that with all the dope testing procedures they would be scared stiff of the shame of being found out. Is it because there is still a chance they can get away with it ?
Michael Brown, Moss Vale N.S.W. 2577, Australia
It is understandable why people are getting upset, i am my self. But i do have faith in the riders that are real and want push themselves to be the best rider they can be, not how good a drug can make them. Us as fans should remain hopefully of the tour. Viva la TOUR!
Allen , honolulu, HI, USA
I was reading a book on statistics (The Drunkard's Walk) and there was a section where the author posits that the tests for banned substances in athletes are rife with false positives, and test technicians don't understand the underlying math involved. Some are guilty, some are likely not.
James Barnett, seattle, USA
if you want to clean up cycling, it's pretty simple. if a rider tests positive, the team is banned from uci racing for 2 years. then the team becomes responsible for keeping their riders clean. they're the only ones with enough access to do so.
Chris Hyams, Austin, TX, USA
This news doesn't put me off le tour at all, if anything it's a much cleaner and more fair race than we've seen in the last decade or more - I'm starting to beleive again !
James Bodroghy, Adelaide, Australia
All Le Tour riders were tested just before the start of the race. This resulted in certain suspicious riders being targetted later during the race. The organisers of the tour and others in cycling do far more on drug testing than in an other international sport. Olympics EPO testing is a joke .
Le , Sydney, AUST
It will be interesting to see if the French allow Saunier Duval to return next year. Astana was not allowed to race this year even after compleatly restructuring the team, thus Contodor was not allowed to defend his title. Of course Astana wasn't a French team!
john davis, vinita, USA
Here we go again!
Sport is full of freaks,people with unfair advantages and cheats.
Sad.
james allen, manchester, england
What's with the ridiculous conspiracy theories? If anything damages the image of cycling, it's these ridiculous posts.
This is the closest tour for years, which is as good a sign that the sport is being cleaned up as any.
Dave, Reigate,
Only one answer to this to get the Tour some credibility. Test everyone the day of each stage, with no one testing positive being allowed to race. Takes much more manpower, but it's the only answer. Perhaps they can set up kits ahead of time to minimize the delay.
Jerry Parshall, Washington, DC, USA
Hy ken,
I'm french.
In france, There is a doubt about the french rider Christophe Moreau.
And many french rider were condemned in the past
ast, lyon, FRANCE
I'm done!
For years I have looked forward to The Tour and followed every stage excitedly. I'm going to miss Liggett & Sherwen who are arguably the best sports commentators on the planet.
What used to be the most amazing sporting event in the world now makes me sick.
Bob Porter, Grand Rapids, USA
Test French riders?? Why bother? Have you looked at the standings?
Ed P. Oring, Camden, USA
One can only conclude that the authorities need to test each rider to see if he is himself a dope!
gino francesco, hastings, england
Ask the organisers why so few French riders are being tested??
Ken Wood, Fleet, UK