July 11, 2008 (Aurillac, France) — Spanish cyclist Manuel Beltran (Liquigas) tested positive for banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) at the Tour de France report both AFP and Reuters. Pierre Bordry, the director of the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD), confirmed that Beltran failed a urine test last Saturday.

While it is likely that Beltran will be withdrawn from the TdF, it remains uncertain if his team might also have to withdraw. The 37-yearold climbing specialist is nicknamed “˜the cookie monster’.Beltran was 26th in general classification after today’s stage.

Le Monde revealed earlier today that ten cyclists revealed abnormal blood values in samples taken by the AFLD prior to Tour de France, but the names of the cyclists were not revealed. Such abnormal values can indicate doping.

More on this story AFP, Guardian, or Le Monde (in French).