RadioShack-Nissan star Frank Schleck looks almost certain to miss this year’s Tour de France after being handed down a one-year, backdated, ban by the Luxembourg Anti-Doping Agency for failing a routine drugs test at the 2012 event. Schleck, whose teammate and younger brother Andy won the TdF in 2010, was in 12th position when he tested positive for the banned diuretic Xipamide, a result that was roundly confirmed by the failure of his so-called ‘B-test’ two days later. The Luxembourger denied – and indeed continues to deny – knowingly taking the substance and is likely to appeal the decision of his national doping agency to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The backdated ban was declared to have started on July 14, 2012 – the day of Schleck’ failed test.
