News Flash for August 6, 2003

Edited by Chris Henry

Tour EPO positive revealed... Almost

The rider who tested positive for EPO during the Tour de France has been identified as a member of the Spanish Kelme-Costa Blanca squad. According to Spanish daily Marca, Kelme's Javier Pascual Llorente is the man in question. Team manager Juan Mas confirms that the rider is a member of his team, but would not confirm that it was Llorente, saying that the rider had yet to be officially notified.

The UCI and Tour organisers had revealed on the eve of the final stage into Paris that one rider had tested positive for EPO, but did not reveal his identity until the B-sample test results were returned. The rider tested positive for EPO after the Stage 12 time trial from Gaillac to Cap' Dévouverte, the only positive doping result registered at the Tour.

The Spanish Cycling Federation accepted the UCI's results, and will decide on a sanction, which could result in a 1-2 year suspension from competition. The UCI retains the right to take the case to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) if it does not feel the Spanish federation's punishment is severe enough.

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