Cycling: Nevado tests positive

Tour rocked as Spanish rider fails drugs test

Last updated: 16th July 2008

Pierre Bordry

Bordry: Head of the French anti-doping agency

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The Tour de France has been hit by a new drugs scandal after a top French anti-doping official revealed Spanish rider Moises Duenas Nevado has tested positive for EPO.

Pierre Bordry, the head of the French anti-doping agency, has confirmed that Duenas Nevado tested positive for the banned substance after the fourth stage on July 8 in Cholet.

"We notified Moises Duenas Nevado that he had tested positive for EPO after the fourth stage this morning at 9am," Bordry said.

Barloworld have immediately pulled the 27-year-old, who was 19th in the Tour standings, out of the race and suspended him while they await the results of further tests.

Police will now question Duenas Nevado after taking him from the team's hotel in the south-western town of Tarbes.

A spokesman for Barloworld confirmed: "Right now Moises is at the police station with the team manager and the doctor.

"The team has suspended Moises while we wait for other information."

This is the second positive test for EPO on this year's tour, with Spanish veteran Manuel Beltran questioned and sent home after testing positive after the first stage.