Tour rider tests positive

An unidentified Tour de France rider is reported to have tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug EPO.

Although his name, nationality and team have not yet been revealed, he is not a “major” rider, according to www. l’equipe.fr, which claims he has asked for a second "B" sample to be tested.

The outcome of the second test might not be known for several days.

“This means that the controls put in place work and have been hugely increased and improved since 1998,” the L’equipe website quoted Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc as saying.

“Sport unfortunately has to continue living with the presence of guys .... who do not respect the rules.

“We catch them, we punish them, we sideline them and we continue the adventure with all the others.”

Spaniard Txema Del Olmo was the last rider to test positive for EPO, during the 2001 Tour.