SAUNIER DUVAL PULL OUT OF TOUR DE FRANCE

Following Riccardo Ricco?s positive test for the third generation form EPO, the whole Saunier Duval team did not start today?s stage.

Ricco was taken away from the start in Lavelanet b French police. Saunier Duval?s bright yellow team truck was surrounded by police and media.

Saunier Duval directeur sportif Matxin Fernandez said the rest of the team could have started but decided to pull out. The team has suspended all its racing until further details of Ricco?s positive emerge.

?This is a decision of the team and is not dictated by ASO. We?ve decided to suspend all the team activities until we understand what has happened,? Matxin Fernandez said.

?The organisers allowed us to start but we didn?t want to carry on as if nothing has happened. We?re responsible and so we?re going to behave in a responsible way,? Saunier Duval Mauro Gianetti said.

After the 159 riders left in the Tour set off for the 168.5km stage, the convoy of Saunier Duval vehicles set off in another direction.