Some riders given surprise doping tests

CUNEO, Italy -- New Tour de France leader Frank Schleck and his CSC team were given a surprise doping test after the 15th stage ended in Italy. No results were announced in a race in which three riders have been ousted for drugs.

As many as six riders were tested at CSC’s hotel, the Italian Olympic Committee said Monday. Labs usually require several days to analyze doping tests. Fifteen more surprise tests were carried out on unnamed teams Monday.

The French anti-doping agency, CONI, is controlling drug testing for this year’s Tour. The Italian committee oversees doping in Italy and indicated that Sunday’s tests were part of a pre-race agreement with the French authorities.

Spanish riders Moises Duenas Nevado and Manuel Beltran have been ejected for doping. Italy’s Riccardo Ricco won two stages before he was removed for testing positive for the blood-booster EPO.

Schleck took the overall lead Sunday from Cadel Evans during the stage that crossed into Italy. The teams remained in Italy for a rest day Monday before the 16th stage brings the race back to France today. The tests will go to the committee’s anti-doping laboratory in Rome, and the results will be sent to the French agency.

Riders who have a positive test could face court proceedings in Italy, which has a law against doping.