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Posted at 2:39 p.m., Monday, July 30, 2007

Cycling: Spanish rider Mayo tested positive during Tour

Advertiser Staff

PARIS — Spanish rider Iban Mayo tested positive for EPO during the final week of the Tour de France, his team said today in a statement.

Doping allegations and suspicions have devastated the 2007 Tour, which ended yesterday. Three riders, including former overall leader Michael Rasmussen, and two teams were expelled during the three-week race.

Mayo's Saunier Duval team was told of the results of the July 24 test by cycling's governing body and "immediately suspended" Mayo, according to a statement posted on the team's Web site.

A second test is needed to confirm the initial positive result for Mayo, who finished 16th in cycling's biggest event.

Spaniard Alberto Contador of the Discovery Channel team won the Tour — but only after Rasmussen was removed, accused of having lied about his whereabouts before the Tour to evade doping controls. Rasmussen vehemently has denied the accusations.

So, too, has fan favorite Alexandre Vinokourov, who was tossed along with his Astana team after he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion. Italian rider Cristian Moreni, however, admitted his guilt after a positive test for testosterone got him and his Cofidis team kicked out.

Saunier Duval said it would cancel Mayo's contract if the initial positive result is confirmed.

Mayo, a noted climber, finished 27 minutes, 9 seconds behind Contador.