Associated PressUpdated: July 18, 2008, A prosecutor says preliminary
doping-related charges have been filed against ousted Tour de France rider
Riccardo Ricco.

The Italian rider tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO during
cycling's showcase race. Antoine Leroy, prosecutor in the French city of Foix,
said Friday that preliminary charges had been filed against the cyclist for "use
of a poisonous substance."

Leroy said Ricco has been released from custody. He is not allowed to meet
anyone from his Saunier-Duval cycling team, which suspended him immediately
after the test and fired him before today's news.

The team also withdrew all its riders from the race.

The team said in a statement that it felt it had been a "victim" of
irresponsible behavior and denied any involvement in any doping practices.

Ricco, who won two Tour de France stages, is the latest among three cyclists
involved in doping cases at the Tour. Ricco tested positive after the fourth
stage, a time trial in Cholet.

The team also fired rider Leonardo Piepoli for "violation of the team's ethical
code." A team spokesman declined to elaborate.

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/wcStory?contentId=8118850#story=8356464

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