Moises Duenas is the second cyclist to test positive for doping at the 2008 Tour de France [AFP]

Duenas, of the Barloworld team, tested positive during the fourth stage of the race, a 29km time-trial at Cholet.

"We notified Moises Duenas Nevado that he had tested positive for EPO after the fourth stage this morning at 0900 [0700 GMT]," Pierre Bordry, AFLD president, told Reuters on Wednesday.

His team immediately withdrew him from the race before Wednesday's 11th stage, a 167.5km ride from Lannemezan to Foix.

"This is unbelievable," Claudio Corti, Barloworld team manager, told reporters.

"I don't understand. I didn't even have time to talk to him."

The 27-year-old had been in 19th position after the first ten stages, six minutes and 43 seconds behind Australian race leader Cadel Evans.

Police raided the hotel where Duenas's team were staying before the start of the 11th stage, Jean-Rene Bernaudeau, Bouygues-Telecom team manager, told Reuters.

"Around 50 police officers stormed into the hotel this morning," said Bernaudeau, whose team were staying at the same hotel.

"I can say it was not for us", he added.

Duenas becomes the second rider to fail a drugs test in this year's race after compatriot Manuel Beltran of the Liquigas team tested positive for EPO during the first stage.

Spanish inquisition

Pat McQuaid, International cycling Union (UCI) president, said Spain are "slow to get the message" in the fight against doping after Duenas and Beltran's failed tests at the Tour.

"My first reaction is a reaction of great anger," McQuaid told Reuters in reaction to Duenas's postitve test.

"He is an idiot. It is interesting to see that it is the second Spanish rider.

"Spain are slower to get the message."

Last year the UCI barred Spain's Alejandro Valverde from entering the world championships in Stuttgart because of his possible implication in the Operation Puerto blood doping scandal that erupted in Spain in 2006.

The Spanish federation appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who ruled against the UCI, allowing Caisse d'Epargne rider Valverde to participate in the race.

Spanish authorities also denied the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the UCI access to blood bags that were seized during Operation Puerto.

Earlier this month, CAS said they would consider WADA and UCI's appeal of this decision.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: