More scandals for Tour as Ricco tests positive

LAVELANET, France: The Tour de France was rocked by a third doping scandal yesterday after Italian Riccardo Ricco tested positive for banned substances.

Ricco, who won two climbing stages last week, was taken into custody by French police amid scenes of chaos outside his Saunier Duval team bus before the start of stage 12.

His positive test for the banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) was confirmed by the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD), which is carrying out all tests on the Tour as the race is being held under the auspices of the French federation.