Italian Francesco Ricco is kicked out of the Tour de France after a positive test . `` I said to the riders before the race , behind closed doors , that you have the key ( to stop doping in cycling ) ... The year - old Italian becomes third rider to be ejected after testing for drugs . He joins Spain 's José Luis Nevado and Manuel Beltran in being removed .
Italian Francesco Ricco is kicked out of the Tour de France after a positive test . The year - old Italian becomes third rider to be ejected after testing for drugs . He joins Spain 's José Luis Nevado and Manuel Beltran in being removed .