Evans leads as doping hits Tour de France again

LANNEMEZAN, France -- Cadel Evans of Australia led Wednesday's 11th stage of the Tour de France, which was hit by another doping bust after Spanish cyclist Moises Duenas Nevado tested positive for the blood-booster EPO.

Evans was ahead by one second over Frank Schleck of Luxembourg heading into the 104.1-mile trek from Lannemezan to Foix that features a category 1 climb up the Col de Portel.

Earlier, police took away Duenas Nevado, who rides for Barloworld and was 19th overall in the Tour, after briefly questioning him at the team's hotel in the southwestern town of Tarbes.

Pierre Bordry, head of the French anti-doping agency, said Duenas Nevado tested positive after the fourth stage on July 8 at Cholet, the site of the race's first time trial.

A Barloworld spokesman said Duenas Nevado has pulled out of the race and was immediately suspended by the team. However, the team did not pull out and will start Wednesday's 11th stage.

The case marks the second positive EPO test at this Tour. Spanish veteran Manuel Beltran -- a former teammate of seven-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong -- was sent home for testing positive after the first stage this year.

Beltran's Liquigas team also remained in the race Wednesday.