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STAGE 7: L'EQUIPE REPORTS BELTRAN POSITIVE FOR EPO AT TOUR
July 11, 2008
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According to journalist Damien Ressiot of French sports daily L'Equipe, Spain's Manuel “Triki” Beltran (Liquigas) has tested positive for blood booster erythropoietin (EPO on the first stage of the Tour De France Saturday. The 37 year old from Jaen Has ridden for Mapei, Banesto, Team Coast, US Postal and Discovery Channel. Beltran was a rider who was identified with “irregular” blood values by the AFLD, French anti-doping agency.
No official information has come from Tour officials yet, or from AFLD. Beltran was 26th on gc after Friday's Stage 7, 3’20” behind Maillot Jaune Kirchen.
Liquigas has now pulled Beltran from the Tour and suspended him from the team per th ethics agreement signed with the Tour organizers, while the Spanish rider awaits the analysis of Beltran's
B sample. "I am really upset by this news," said Liquigas team manager Roberto Amadio. "We'll wait for the results of the other tests and in the meanwhile, even if it's painful, we'll make sure that we go through all the steps we need to in order to resolve this situation". Amadio must be exceptionally concerned that the Tour De France organizers will ask him to withdraw the other 8 Liquigas riders under the Tour De France ethics agreement, which is totally in their power to decide.
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