Schleck hints at poisoning, Voeckler wins 16th stage
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2012, Thursday
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LUXEMBOURG rider Frank Schleck denied taking any banned substance despite testing positive for a forbidden diuretic at the Tour de France on Tuesday, and has suggested he may have been poisoned.
The RadioShack Nissan Trek team leader said he "formally rejects" having taken any banned substance, and requested the B sample to be tested.
A statement sent by the rider to media in Luxembourg said, "If this analysis confirms the first result, a complaint will be filed against an unspecified person for poisoning."
Meanwhile, Bradley Wiggins took another step towards securing his maiden Tour de France crown after a 16th stage won in stylish fashion by Frenchman Thomas Voeckler yesterday.
Yellow jersey holder Wiggins repelled a number of attacks by Vincenzo Nibali to come over the finish with his Italian rival and Sky teammate Chris Froome around seven minutes behind a triumphant Voeckler.
Defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia came over the finish line nearly 12 minutes behind Voeckler, and nearly five minutes behind Wiggins' group after being dropped on the Col du Peyresourde.
It means Evans drops from fourth overall to seventh at 8:06 behind Wiggins. The Englishman retained his 2min 05sec lead over Froome, with Liquigas rider Nibali still third at 2:23.
Earlier, a RadioShack spokesman yesterday confirmed that the team pulled Schleck from the race after the positive test, and said he would be suspended if the backup sample comes back positive, too.
He's the older brother of Andy Schleck, the 2010 Tour champion who didn't enter this year because of a spinal injury. Frank was third last year.
Cycling's governing body the UCI said on Tuesday that Schleck tested positive for the banned diuretic Xipamide on Saturday, another reminder of the doping cloud that has damaged the image of cycling.
The diuretic is classified as a specified substance and does not require a provisional suspension. The World Anti-Doping Agency defines "specified substances" like Xipamide as those that are "more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation."
Bans for such substances are often shorter, and athletes have a better chance of proving that they did not intend to consume it or enhance their performance.
Schleck was in 12th place overall - 9 minutes, 45 seconds behind leader Wiggins.
The RadioShack Nissan Trek team leader said he "formally rejects" having taken any banned substance, and requested the B sample to be tested.
A statement sent by the rider to media in Luxembourg said, "If this analysis confirms the first result, a complaint will be filed against an unspecified person for poisoning."
Meanwhile, Bradley Wiggins took another step towards securing his maiden Tour de France crown after a 16th stage won in stylish fashion by Frenchman Thomas Voeckler yesterday.
Yellow jersey holder Wiggins repelled a number of attacks by Vincenzo Nibali to come over the finish with his Italian rival and Sky teammate Chris Froome around seven minutes behind a triumphant Voeckler.
Defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia came over the finish line nearly 12 minutes behind Voeckler, and nearly five minutes behind Wiggins' group after being dropped on the Col du Peyresourde.
It means Evans drops from fourth overall to seventh at 8:06 behind Wiggins. The Englishman retained his 2min 05sec lead over Froome, with Liquigas rider Nibali still third at 2:23.
Earlier, a RadioShack spokesman yesterday confirmed that the team pulled Schleck from the race after the positive test, and said he would be suspended if the backup sample comes back positive, too.
He's the older brother of Andy Schleck, the 2010 Tour champion who didn't enter this year because of a spinal injury. Frank was third last year.
Cycling's governing body the UCI said on Tuesday that Schleck tested positive for the banned diuretic Xipamide on Saturday, another reminder of the doping cloud that has damaged the image of cycling.
The diuretic is classified as a specified substance and does not require a provisional suspension. The World Anti-Doping Agency defines "specified substances" like Xipamide as those that are "more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation."
Bans for such substances are often shorter, and athletes have a better chance of proving that they did not intend to consume it or enhance their performance.
Schleck was in 12th place overall - 9 minutes, 45 seconds behind leader Wiggins.
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