One of the leading riders in the Tour de France has tested positive for a banned substance and has been withdrawn from this year’s race by his Radio Shack-Nissan team.  Frank Schleck finished third in last year’s race and his brother Andy was the Tour winner in 2010 after Alberto Contador was stripped of the title over other alleged drug offences.
Schleck was lying 12th in this year’s race behind British race leader Bradley Wiggins.
In a statement issued yesterday the management of his team said “After being informed by the UCI about the presence of Xipamide in the urine sample of Frank Schleck on July 14, the team has decided to immediately withdraw Frank Schleck from the Tour de France.”
“On the subject of Xipamide the team can declare it is not a product that is present in any of the medicine that the team uses and the reason for the presence of Xipamide in the urine sample of Mr Schleck is unclear.”
Cycling’s World Governing Body the UCI, led by Irishman Pat McQuaid has made significant efforts to clean the tarnished image of the sport and race leader Wiggins has been very public on his desire for the sport to be clean.  Special blood passports for every cyclist were introduced and it was hoped this year would be another turning point for the reputation of the race.
Unfortunately Schleck is the second rider to have been accused of a drug offence and his high profile within the sport means that it is an especially hard blow to take.
A statement issued yesterday by the UCI said “Earlier today the UCI advised the Luxembourger rider Frank Schleck of an adverse analytical finding (presence of the diuretic Xipamide) in the urine sample collected from him at an in-competition test at the Tour de France on 14 July 2012.
“The UCI anti-doping rules do not provide for a provisional suspension given the nature of the substance, which is a specified substance,” said the statement.
“However, the UCI is confident that his team will take the necessary steps to enable the Tour de France to continue in serenity and to ensure that their rider has the opportunity to properly prepare his defence.
“Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time.”
Nissan only joined the team as co sponsors earlier this year and will be shocked to have their name associated with such news.
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