French rider Houanard tests positive for EPO

French rider Steve Houanard has tested positive for banned blood booster EPO, according to the sport's world governing body, the UCI. The 26-year-old Houanard, who has no major wins to his credit, raced for the AG2R La Mondiale team, which has not renewed his contract. Houanard, a professional since 2009, tested positive in an out-of-competition test on September 21. "We are obviously extremely shocked by this news," the AG2R team said. "Therefore, we decided to immediately to push him aside from competition and we lay him off as a precautionary measure until the French National Federation opens disciplinary proceedings." Team manager Vincent Lavenu said: "It is with sadness that I heard this unfortunate news. "Above all, I'm driven this evening by a strong feeling of anger because of important damages for the team and our sponsors. "I want to reiterate our commitment to the biological passport and to the values upheld by the International Cycling Union. We have full confidence in the competent authorities in their fight against doping."