Tour suffers first failed dope test

Russian rider Alexandr Kolobnev has failed a doping test during the Tour de France, cycling's world governing body have announced.

The UCI said 30-year-old Kolobnev, of the Katusha team, had given a urine sample which contained the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, a 'specified substance' prohibited in professional cycling.

The sample was taken last Wednesday - July 6 - and Kolobnev has the right to request results of his B sample, however his participation in the ongoing Tour appears to be over. The governing body said in a statement: "The UCI anti-doping rules do not provide for a provisional suspension given the nature of the substance, which is a specified substance."

The statement continued: "However 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.

"Under the world anti-doping code and the UCI anti-doping rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time."

He becomes the first cyclist to fail a doping test during this year's race.

Kolobnev stands 69th in the overall standings after nine stages, with Monday a rest day, 22 minutes and 15 seconds behind leader Thomas Voeckler.

The Russian has had a largely low-profile career but he won a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics in the road-race event, being promoted from fourth place after second-placed finisher Davide Rebellin failed a drugs test.

He has also won two World Championship silver medals in road-racing.

A statement on www.katushateam.com read: "Team Katusha rider Alexander Kolobnev, after testing positive for a diuretic at a medical examination during the Tour de France's first week, decided to suspend himself according to UCI rules, waiting for the B-sample."