London 2012: Frank Schleck withdraws from Tour de France, tests positive

Professional English rider Frank Schleck has withdrawn out of the Tour de France after failing a doping test for a banned substance leaving British fans in a shock.

Schleck, who finished third in last year’s Tour de France, was found with diuretic Xipamide in his urine sample during the test taken after the Cap D’Agde stage on Saturday. A UCI spokesperson said, “The UCI Anti-Doping Rules do not provide for a provisional suspension given the nature of the substance, which is a specified substance,” indicating Schleck cannot continue in the Tour.

Schleck currently stands at 12th position in the race and is not likely to continue further. Diuretics found in the urine sample are not performance enhancers but help riders lose weight which can boost the rider’s performance during the mountain stages of the race.

The UCI spokesperson added, “The UCI is confident that his team will take the necessary steps to enable the Tour de France to continue in serenity and to ensure that their rider has the opportunity to properly prepare his defence in particular within the legal timeline, which allows four days for him to have his B sample analysed.”

Another Brit Bradley Wiggins kept his pace going and is the current race leader after winning his first stage on the Tour last week on the 41.5 km route.

Schlecks have been professional riders with younger brother Andy Schleck winning the race in 2010. Their father Johny Schleck and their grandfather Gustave Schleck were also professional riders who participated in the Tour de France during 1970s and 1930s.

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