Tour rider Duenas Nevado tests positive for EPO

By Julien Pretot

LANNEMEZAN, France (Reuters) - The 11th stage of the Tour de France started on Wednesday from Lannemezan without Barloworld's Moises Duenas Nevado, the second Spaniard to test positive for the blood-boosting drug erythropoietin (EPO).

The French-Anti Doping Agency (AFLD) said earlier on Wednesday that Duenas Nevado, who joined Barloworld two years ago, had failed a dope test after the fourth stage, a time trial in Cholet.

The 27-year-old rider was immediately withdrawn from the race by his team, who were allowed to continue in the event after a pre-race contract with organizers which stated that teams can carry on if offending cyclists were removed.

"We notified Moises Duenas Nevado that he had tested positive for EPO after the fourth stage this morning at 0900 a.m. (0700 GMT)," AFLD president Pierre Bordry told Reuters.

Police raided the hotel were Duenas Nevado's team were staying before the start of the stage and left with the rider who was to be questioned, witnesses said.

"This is unbelievable," Barloworld team manager Claudio Corti told reporters. "I don't understand. I didn't even have time to talk to him."

Barloworld's spokesman Claudio Masnata said: "We are shocked. We are waiting for the B-test.

"The raid was shocking, it was not a friendly visit."

Duenas Nevado, who was 19th in the overall standings, faces exclusion from his team and a two-year suspension.

Rocked in recent years by a number of doping scandals, this year's race had been free of controversy until last Friday, when Liquigas rider Manuel Beltran was arrested by French police after it was announced he had tested positive for EPO.

Pat McQuaid, the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), said Spain seemed to fail to get the message in the fight against doping.

"My first reaction is a reaction of great anger," McQuaid told Reuters by telephone.

"He is an idiot," the Irishman said of Duenas Nevado, who was 19th in the overall standings when he was taken by police for questioning before the 11th stage of the Tour.

"It is interesting to see that it is the second Spanish rider (to failed a dope test on the Tour)," McQuaid added.

"Spain are slower to get the message."