Tour's Schumacher tests positive for EPO

Last Modified: 07 Oct 2008
Source: ITN

German cyclist Stefan Schumacher has tested positive for using the banned substance erythropoietin (EPO) during the Tour de France.

Schumacher was a surprise winner of two time trials at the Tour and briefly wore the yellow jersey before a crash near the end of stage six knocked him back down the standings.

According to numerous reports, however, he has tested positive for a new generation of EPO known as CERA.

The boss of Schumacher's former Gerolsteiner team, Hans-Michael Holczer, later confirmed the positive test to German media. Schumacher, who signed for the Quick Step team last month, described the reports as "nonsense".

Schumacher is the second rider to be linked to CERA this week. Earlier, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) announced that Leonardo Piepoli is to appear before their anti-doping prosecutor on 10 October after also testing positive for the substance.

Piepoli played a key role in helping his then Saunier Duval team-mate Riccardo Ricco, who starred in the early stages of the tour before returning a positive test and leaving in disgrace.

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