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Pereiro also failed test - report

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PARIS, France -- Spanish cyclist Oscar Pereiro, who was second to drug-tainted Floyd Landis in the 2006 Tour de France, tested positive for the banned substance salbutamol during the race, French newspaper Le Monde has claimed on its website.

Salbutamol, which is a substance often prescribed for asthma sufferers, was discovered in Pereiro's urine sample after the 14th and 16th stages.

American Landis tested positive for high levels of testosterone after the 2006 race.

According to Le Monde, the two dope tests failed by Pereiro took place on July 17 after the 14th stage from Montelimar to Gap and on July 19 in the aftermath of the 16th stage from Bourg-d'Oisans to La Toussuire.

Le Monde claim in their report that the International Cycling Union (UCI) had allowed Pereiro to use salbutamol under the therapeutic use exemptions scheme.

However, the French anti-doping body (AFLD) claim that the Caisse d'Epargne rider did not have the relevant forms.

Le Monde reports that since August, the AFLD had contacted the Spaniard three times in order to gain the relevant proof that he suffered from an illness that "required the use of salbutamol". By Thursday, the body was still waiting for a response.

The French authorities were also, the newspaper claimed, waiting in vain for the UCI to show them the documents that would prove they had authorised Pereiro's use of the substance.

Pereiro's Caisse d'Epargne team are standing by their rider, insisting the Spaniard has done nothing wrong.

"Oscar received two letters from the AFLD in October and November," said Francis Lafargue, the team's spokesman.

"He had the documents but he forgot to respond to the agency, it is carelessness," said Lafargue who added: "the AFLD will receive before the end of the week all the documents required."

The AFLD will meet again on January 25 to discuss their next step.

"If the cyclist has not sent the information required by the AFLD or if they are not convinced by its experts, then Pierre Bordry (AFLD president) will open a disciplinary procedure," added the Le Monde report.

The authority of the AFLD is limited to French soil only but Pereiro will risk not taking part in the 2007 Tour and could be stripped of second place in the 2006 race.

The newspaper added that "six other riders tested positive in the 2006 Tour". They had medical dispensation to use banned substances, but those authorisations will also be examined at next Thursday's meeting.

Meanwhile, race winner Landis, who could be stripped of the Tour de France title after testing positive for high levels of testosterone, is appealing the result.

He has claimed that inconsistencies by the French laboratory which analysed his samples led to his positive result.

If found guilty, Landis would be the first rider in the modern era to be stripped of the triumph. The American has been called to appear before the French anti-doping agency on February 8.


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The French anti-doping body are looking into Pereiro's failed test for salbutamol.

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