Cyclist tested positive, say reports

German cyclist Stefan Schumacher has tested positive for using the banned substance erythropoietin (EPO) during the Tour de France, according to numerous reports.

Schumacher was a surprise winner of two time trials at the Tour and briefly wore the yellow jersey before a crash near the end of stage six knocked him back down the standings.

However, L'Equipe said on Monday that he had tested positive for a new generation of EPO known as CERA.

The boss of Schumacher's former Gerolsteiner team, Hans-Michael Holczer, later confirmed the positive test to German media. Schumacher, who signed for the Quick Step team last month, described the reports as 'nonsense'.

Schumacher is the second rider to be linked to CERA on Monday. Earlier, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) announced that Leonardo Piepoli is to appear before their anti-doping prosecutor on Friday after also testing positive for the substance.

Piepoli played a key role in helping his then Saunier Duval team-mate Riccardo Ricco, who starred in the early stages of the tour before returning a positive test and leaving in disgrace.

He was last week banned for 20 months and has been fired by Saunier Duval.