Strike trois at the Tour de France: Riccardo Ricco tests positive for EPO

Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco's claim of a high blood count not withstanding, became the third rider to test for dope at the 2008 Tour de France.  Following reports of a high hematocrit last week (blood level) Ricco said the Tour knew he was naturally loaded with blood.  Looks like he was unnaturally loaded with EPO too. The Tour de France is a race simply addicted to performance enhancing drugs.

To Sporting Life:

Riccardo Ricco, the wearer of the polka dot jersey at the Tour de France, has tested positive for EPO, according to French sports newspaper L'Equipe.

The 24-year-old Italian, won two mountain stages in this year's Tour, at Super-Besse and Bagneres de Bigorre, and holds a 12-point lead in the King of the Mountains competition.

Ricco also came second in this year's Giro d'Italia, and is considered the next great climber in the sport.

Looks like the French police will be busy too:

The Italian rider, who has been detained by French police after being removed from the Saunier-Duval team bus, becomes the third rider to test positive for EPO at this year's Tour after Moises Duenas Nevado and Manuel Beltran.

The French anti-doping authority confirmed Ricco's positive test related to the fourth stage of the Tour, the Cholet time-trial.

"It's for the same product as the other two," Pierre Bordry, president of the French anti-doping agency, said in quotes reported on the BBC Sport website.

Ricco's team packed up the suitcases to head home after the positive test.

Ricco's Saunier-Duval team later announced their withdrawal from the race in the wake of his positive test.

The move will come a surprise to many after Beltran's Liquigas team and Duenas Nevado's Barloworld team continued despite the transgressions of their riders.

Ricco's team-mate Juan Jose Cobo told L'Equipe: "If this [Ricco's test] is confirmed, it is terrible news for the team."

Saunier-Duval's withdrawal will spell the end for the likes of Cobo and Leonardo Piepoli, who won the 10th stage from Pau to Hautacam.

Comments

[Brian]

Wonder if his hematocrit was anywhere near that claimed for his hero Pantani.

[Brian]

http://cyclingnews.com/road/2008/tour08/?id=/features/2008/tour08_micera_st12

So, if CERA can't be found in current testing and Ricco had a note from Epstein's mother saying he had naturally high hematocrit, how did he fail?