Cyclist Kolobnev's 'B' sample tests positive

Katusha's Russian rider Alexandr Kolobnev faces the sack and a substantial financial penalty after his 'B' sample also tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. Kolobnev was forced out of the July 2-24 Tour de France after cycling's governing body, the UCI, announced that a urine sample taken from the Russian in-race on July 6, had tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, listed as a banned substance because it can also be used to mask other drugs. On Wednesday, the UCI announced that "the analysis of the sample B of Alexandr Kolobnev's urine carried out on Tuesday, July 19, has confirmed the result of the adverse analytical finding notified by the anti-doping laboratory of Chatenay-Malabry following the analysis of the sample A". "In accordance with the anti-doping rules, the UCI will request the Russian federation to open a disciplinary procedure against the rider." Katusha said that it would only take a decision on Kolobnev's future after hearing "the decision of the relevant authority, that's to say, the Russian cycling federation". The team, in a bid to save the Tour and itself from further controversy, immediately withdrew Kolobnev after the results of his first sample became common knowledge. And they warned at the time that the rider would be fired and have to pay five times his salary as a fine if the B sample was also positive.