Beltran: Tested positive for EPO

Spanish cyclist Manuel Beltran has tested positive for the blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) an anti-doping official at the Tour de France has confirmed.

Beltran, who rides for the Liquigas team, is a former team-mate of seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong.

Officials took a urine sample from the Spaniard after anomalies showed up in the blood sample he provided at the start of the race.

Pierre Bordry, chief of the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD), has now revealed that the urine sample returned a positive test.

"I can confirm the report," Bordry stated. "We took a urine sample from him on Saturday (July 5) because of anomalies in his blood sample. The urine sample tested positive for EPO.

"The rider concerned has been informed of the results of the analysis of the tests we took and has been informed of his rights."

Beltran's team manager, Roberto Amadio, is understood to have already informed race organisers that the rider will be withdrawn from the race.

Beltran has three Tour stage wins to his name, all of them team time trials with Lance Armstrong's US Postal and Discovery Channel teams in 2003, 2004 and 2005.