Another TdF Rider Caught Doping

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 12:39:48 pm PDT

It’s becoming a daily occurrence: VeloNews | Riccardo Ricco tests positive; Saunier Duval team withdraws from Tour de France.

French anti-doping authorities and Saunier Duval team officials confirmed Thursday that Italian climbing sensation Ricardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) has tested positive for a new form of the blood booster erythropoietin (EPO).

Informed of the positive just an hour before the start of Thursday’s 12th stage of the Tour de France, Ricco was taken by gendarmes to a local police station for questioning. Within minutes of Ricco’s departure, his entire team voluntarily withdrew from the Tour.

Saunier Duval director Joxean Fernandez told reporters that it made no sense for the team to continue.

“It’s a decision from the team; we were not forced to pull out of the Tour de France,” Fernandez said. “He is our GC leader, so logically we can not start the day and act as if nothing has happened.”