Schleck demands re-test

Fränk Schleck has denied taking any banned substance, suggesting he may even have been poisoned, after he tested positive for the diuretic Xipamide. He has asked for the B sample to be tested, essentially demanding a re-test.

"I deny categorically having taken any banned substance. I don't have an explanation for the result and I insist on a test of the B sample, as is my right," Schleck told Luxembourg media company RTL.

"If this analysis confirms the first result, a complaint will be filed against an unspecified person for poisoning," a statement by Schleck added.

On Tuesday, Philippe Maertens, a spokesman for his RadioShack team, said the cyclist went to the Pau police station of his own accord to cooperate with authorities. He is reported to have left shortly after nightfall.

Earlier that day, the International Cycling Union announced that Schleck had tested positive for Xipamide. In a statement, it said the substance was present in a urine sample "collected from him at an in-competition test at the Tour de France on 14 July 2012."

RadioShack responded saying it was withdrawing Schleck from the Tour de France.

'Specified substance'

Xipamide is classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a 'specified substance,' which means the 32-year-old was not immediately subject to a provisional suspension. Under the World Anti-Doping Code, specified substances are often "susceptible to a credible non-doping explanation" and are not necessarily intended to enhance performance.

Schleck had been in 12th place overall in this year's Tour de France - nine minutes and 45 seconds behind the leader of the Tour, the UK's Bradley Wiggins.

In 2010, his brother Andy won the race after Spain's Alberto Contador was stripped of the title for doping.

On Wednesday, Frenchman Thomas Voeckler won stage 16 of the race.

ng/jlw (AP, dpa, SID)