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Aigle, Switzerland • The UCI has notified French rider Sylvain Georges he tested positive for a banned stimulant in a doping test at the Giro d'Italia.
The international cycling federation says traces of the stimulant Heptaminol were found in a urine sample from the AG2R La Mondiale rider after Friday's 10th stage. Georges can request that a backup "B'' sample be tested.
No provisional ban was given.
During last week's fourth stage, Georges attempted an audacious solo attack on the final climb but he was quickly chased down. Entering Wednesday's 11th stage he stood 81st overall — 1 hour, 3 minutes, 54 seconds behind race leader Vincenzo Nibali.
It's the first doping case reported during this year's race.