Beltran Booted from Tour de France for EPO

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: July 12, 2008

Cycling Anti-Doping Police Continue to Come Down on Steroids with Help from the Real Police

Manuel Beltran of Spain not only has been disqualified from the Tour de France, he was physically removed by French police after testing positive for EPO, a performance-enhancing drug used for energy, endurance and recovery. Although unconfirmed, it was also said that there was a raid conducted by local authorities where Beltran and his teammates were staying.

The positive test was conducted following the first stage of the bicycle race, back on July 5. Pierre Bordry, the leader of the French anti-doping agency, told reporters “there are not just traces of EPO, there is EPO.”

The remaining members of Beltran’s Italian Liguigas team were allowed to continue in the race. The team immediately removed him after the positive blood test, and will await the results of a second sample before making any further decisions on his future with them.

This comes at a bad time for the sport of cycling, with the last two Tour de France races filled with riders testing positive for testosterone and other PEDs. “It’s a damaging blow,” International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid said to reporters. “Once again, it proves that individuals are ready to take stupid risks.”

Beltran has been a part of three Tour winning teams in 2003, 2004 and 2005.