Katusha announces Kolobnev pulled from Tour de France

Russian cyclist becomes the first rider to quit the race after testing positive

LE LIORAN, France - Russian cyclist Alexandr Kolobnev became the first rider to be forced out of the Tour de France on Monday after an 'A' sample from the Katusha rider tested positive for a banned substance.

A statement from cycling's governing body the UCI (International Cycling Union) announced a urine sample taken from Kolobnev in-race on July 6, had tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide.