Saunier Duval quit cycling after drugs bust

(CNN) -- Saunier Duval have pulled out of cycling, blaming the drug scandal that engulfed the team at the Tour de France.

The company acted after star Italian rider Riccardo Ricco failed a dope test on stage four -- prompting the entire team to pull out of the race last week.

Both Ricco and his compatriot Leonardo Piepoli, who had won the prestigious Bastille Day stage but had not failed a dope test, were sacked last Friday after breaking the team's 'Code of Ethics'.

A statement issued by Saunier Duval read: "This decision by the company was taken following the recent case of doping involving one of the team's cyclists, Riccardo Ricco, and the suspicions against another cyclist."

However, bike manufacturers Scott, the second sponsor of the team, revealed later on Wednesday that they would step in and rescue the Spanish outfit.

American firm Scott, who has supplied the team's bikes and had a contract with Saunier Duval until 2010, said they would provide financial support to the team for the rest of the season only.

"The team will be called Scott, unless a new title sponsor comes in," said Pascal Ducrot, a Europe-based Scott company official. "After that we're sure the team will find a new title sponsor."

In a statement released by Saunier Duval, Scott said it was "convinced that the recent events which damaged the team's reputation at the Tour de France were caused by individuals".

"We see this as an opportunity to multiply our efforts to fight against doping. In the future our own anti-doping program will be far stricter."

Saunier Duval, part of a German company specialising in domestic heaters and air conditioning units, are the second sponsor to turn their back on cycling at this year's Tour de France.

The first was Barloworld -- who acted after their rider Moises Duenas tested positive like Ricco for the banned blood booster EPO, also on stage four.