Drugs hit the Tour de France again Thursday, the third doping bust in this race and netting the biggest name yet: Italy's Riccardo Ricco, a winner of two stages.
The disclosure came hours before the 12th stage, which was won by Britain's Mark Cavendish while Australia's Cadel Evans kept the yellow jersey.
But as is often the case in cycling, drugs overshadowed racing. This is the third straight year, the sport's showpiece event has been undercut by doping.
"May the cheaters get caught. May they go away," Tour president Christian Prudhomme said. "I said to the riders before the race, behind closed doors, that you have the key. ... Some didn't get the message."
"I'm glad they got caught. The Tour needs to continue and get to the finish in Paris," International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid told The Associated Press. "It's another blow to the sport but I have to see it in light of the fact that they're getting caught and going to be thrown out."
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