Sylvain Georges fails dope test at the Giro d'Italia

Frenchman Sylvain Georges (Ag2r-La Mondiale) tested positive for a stimulate in the Giro d'Italia, announced the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) today.

Georges tested positive on May 10, when the race covered the seventh stage from Marina di San Salvo to Pescara in the south. The UCI sent out a press release at 14:36 local time today, after the 11th leg already left Tarvisio in the country's northeast without Georges.

"Earlier today the UCI notified Georges of an adverse analytical finding," read a statement. "Georges has the right to request and attend the analysis of his B sample."

A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lab in Rome found stimulant Heptaminol in his urine sample.

Team directeur sportif, Laurent Biondi commented on TV today: "We didn't start him this morning because he was sick." Georges placed 109th at 22-10 behind Rigoberto Urán (Sky) yesterday in the stage to Altopiano del Montasio. 

Georges placed second in French classic, Paris-Camembert this year and last year, won a stage of the Tour of California.

In the Giro d'Italia, he helped AG2R team-mate Domenico Pozzovivo. The Italian sits ninth overall at 4-17 minutes.