The UCI has announced the outcome of the doping controls carried out in the latter part of the Tour de France, saying that there were no positive findings.
“The Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) has received the complete and final results of the last tests carried out at the Tour de France 2012,” it stated today. “The samples received from the Châtenay-Malabry, Lausanne and Cologne laboratories all showed a negative result.”
The news means that the sole positive test in this year’s race was that of the 2011 runner-up Frank Schleck, which was announced on July 17th.
It related to an in-competition test taken on July 14th and subsequently analysed at the WADA accredited laboratory in Châtenay-Malabry. That A sample revealed traces of the diuretic Xipamide, a specified substance. This result was later confirmed by the B sample analysis.
Diuretics are restricted in sport as they can at times be used as masking agents.
Schleck insists he is innocent but voluntarily withdrew from the race while sitting twelfth overall. He is currently awaiting a disciplinary hearing in Luxembourg. If deemed guilty, his sanction could range from a warning to two years.
The other rider to leave the race in questionable circumstances was the French climber Remy di Gregorio. The Cofidis rider was arrested on the first rest day in connection with a doping investigation. He was charged with ‘possession of banned substances or illegal devices’; a final resolution is yet to occur.
Tour officials will welcome today’s news as it means the results will stand as they are.