FOUGERES, France (AP) — Italian rider Luca Paolini from Russian team Katusha was thrown out of the Tour de France on Friday after testing positive for cocaine during the race.
Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, said in a statement that the 38-year-old Paolini was tested on July 7, the day of the fourth stage of cycling’s biggest race.
Paolini, who was a support rider for teammates Joaquim Rodriguez and Alexander Kristoff at the Tour, can request a “B” sample to be tested after he was notified “of an adverse analytical finding of cocaine,” the UCI said. It’s the first positive test of this year’s Tour.
In accordance with UCI anti-doping rules, Paolini has been provisionally suspended.
Paolini, who was 168th overall after Friday’s seventh stage, won the Gent-Wevelgem one-day classic earlier this season.
Katusha spokesman Philippe Maertens said Paolini “was shocked” when finding out about the result.
In March, the one-day classics specialist posted his first victory in nearly two years after overcoming heavy wind and rain and conditions to win Gent-Wevelgem.
His previous victory came in May 2013 when he claimed a stage win at the Giro d’Italia.
During his career, he also secured podium-finishes at the world championships, in the Tour of Flanders and in Milano-San Remo.
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