Russian rider fails doping test at Tour de France

LEZAC, France - Alexandr Kolobnev of Russia became the first cyclist at this year’s Tour de France to fail a doping test, the International Cycling Union said Monday.

Kolobnev was in 69th place heading into Tuesday’s 10th stage, but his Katusha team issued a statement saying he is out of the Tour after deciding to “suspend himself according to UCI rules.’’

Katusha sports director Dimitry Konyshev had earlier told The Associated Press that “it’s impossible for him to continue the race with this problem.’’

The UCI said a urine sample collected from Kolobnev last Wednesday tested positive for a substance called hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that can also be used as a masking agent hiding the presence of other drugs. The samples were analyzed at the Chatenay-Malabry laboratory, which is accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

It came on the Tour’s fifth stage - a flat sprint from Carhaix to Cap Frehel.

Tour organizers and French Anti-Doping Agency President Bruno Genevois were not immediately available for comment.

Katusha sports director Bart Leysen said Kolobnev met team management then left the hotel with police officers to be questioned at the police station, adding that they “just want to check some things with him, papers, and normally they will bring him back later.’’

Asked if Kolobnev will be sacked from the team, Leysen replied: “Our riders all sign an internal document saying that in case of a positive test they are fired.’’

Kolobnev has four days to request an analysis of his “B’’ sample.

“If the ‘B’ sample also tests positive, he will be fired and will have to pay five times his salary as a fine,’’ the Katusha statement read.

The UCI can’t provisionally ban Kolobnev because hydrochlorothiazide is classified as a specified substance, which WADA defines as one that is “more susceptible to a credible, nondoping explanation.’’ Its punishment for such a positive test ranges from a warning to a two-year ban.

The 30-year-old Kolobnev finished 65th in last year’s Tour. The former Russian champion had previously ridden in other races for Domina Vacanze, Rabobank, Team CSC and Saxo Bank.

His career highlights include finishing runner-up at the 2010 Liege-Bastogne-Liege and a stage victory at the 2007 Paris-Nice.

Cycling’s showcase race has been devastated by doping scandals over the years. Tougher new measures seemed to have produced fewer doping cases until defending champion Alberto Contador tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol in last year’s race.

AP

한글 관련 기사 [연합]

-투르드프랑스- 금지약물 검출 선수 첫 탈락

러시아의 알렉산더 콜로네프(30)가 프랑스의 도로일주 사이클대회인 올해 투르드프랑스에서 약물복용 사실이 드러나 탈락한 첫 선수가 됐다.

국제사이클연맹(UCI)은 지난 6일 채취한 콜로네프의 소변에서 금지약물인 히드로클로로시아지드가 검출됐다고 12일 밝혔다.

히드로클로로시아지드는 세계반도핑기구(WADA)가 지정한 금지약물로 다른 약물복용을 숨기는 데 사용된다.

러시아의 카투샤팀 소속으로 현재 69위인 콜로네프는 약물을 복용한 채 5구간 까르헤에서 캅 프렐까지 경기를 한 것으로 드러났다.

콜로네프는 지난해 투르드프랑스에서 65위를 했다.

카투샤팀은 성명을 통해 "콜로네프가 UCI 규칙에 따라 스스로 대회를 포기했다"며 다른 샘플에서도 양성반응이 나오면 해고될 것이라고 밝혔다.

한편 지난해 우승자인 알베르토 콘타도르(스페인)도 금지약물을 복용했다는 의혹이 제기돼 지금까지 논란이 계속되고 있다.