Trek-Segafredo rider tests positive just days before the Tour

Andre Cardoso who was selected to ride the Tour de France for Trek-Segafredo has tested positive for EPO just days before the start

Trek Segafredo has issued the following statement "To our cycling family, we have some disappointing news to share."

"It is with deep disappointment that we have just learned that our rider, Andre Cardoso, has tested positive for a prohibited substance. In accordance with our zero tolerance policy, he has been suspended immediately."

"We hold our riders and staff to the highest ethical standards and will act and communicate accordingly as more details become available."

On June 27, 2017 the UCI announced the following:

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that Portuguese rider André Cardoso was notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) of Erythropoietin in a sample collected in the scope of an out-of-competition control on 18 June 2017.

The control was planned and carried out by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF), the independent body mandated by the UCI, in charge of defining and implementing the anti-doping strategy in cycling.

The rider has the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample. In accordance with UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the rider has been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the affair.

At this stage of the procedure, the UCI will not comment any further on any of these matters.

Haimar Zubeldia to ride the Tour de France

Cardoso, 32, joined Trek at the start of the 2017 season having ridden for Cannondale for three years.

His role would hjave been to help support Contador in the mountain stages.

40-year-old Veteran Basque rider Haimar Zubeldia has taken his place and has 16 years of Gran Tour experience. He finished 4th in the 2017 Tour de France.