blood-doping

Garcia da Peña has already tested positive for the presence of Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES), a blood volume enhancer that can be used to hide the use of EPO and blood-doping practices.

New sample shows Garcia da Peña positive for EPO 2010

But on the way to that dramatic ending, the Tour was dismantled by doping scandals — including the blood-doping exclusion of Alexander Vinokourov and the withdrawal of his Team Astana, and the day-after-day rumors about race leader Michael Rasmussen having cheated the pre-Tour anti-doping testers, until he was sent home by his Rabobank team four days before the finish.

Inside Cycling with John Wilcockson: Prudhomme hits home run with 2011 Tour route 2010

But Valverde cannot compete in the 21-stage Giro d'Italia starting Saturday because Italy's Olympic Committee banned him from racing there after connecting him to a Spanish blood-doping ring exposed in the Operation Puerto investigation.

Valverde tops rankings as doping verdict nears 2010

Later data also showed traces of a plasticizer used in medical tubing and blood bags, leading to speculation that the source may have been stored blood, suggesting that he had been involved in blood-doping.

Spanish police uncover clenbuterol ring doping horses, livestock 2010

Armstrong has repeatedly denied all allegations that he ever took any sort of performance-enhancing substances or engaged in banned practices, such as blood-doping.

Yaroslav Popovych subpoenaed in grand jury probe 2010

Menchov has faced questions lately over his alleged involvement in a blood-doping case in Austria, although he has denied involvement.

Menchov recovers from fall, clinches Giro d'Italia victory 2009

Lance Armstrong, 7-time winner of the Tour de France bicycle race, used illegal performance-enhancing drugs and engaged in blood-doping, according to testimony to FBI by former teammates.

Richard Valeriani: May 23, 2011, News Update Richard Valeriani 2011

Lance Armstrong, 7-time winner of the Tour de France bicycle race, used illegal performance-enhancing drugs and engaged in blood-doping, according to testimony to FBI by former teammates.

Richard Valeriani: May 23, 2011, News Update Richard Valeriani 2011

In addition, Italian police raided the lodgings of the Austrian cross-country and biathlon team outside Turin, seizing blood-doping equipment.

IOC retesting Turin 2006 samples for CERA 2010

HES increases the volume of plasma in the circulatory system, but it also helps to mask the use of EPO and blood-doping practices by reducing the overall percentage of red blood cells in a given volume of blood.

New sample shows Garcia da Peña positive for EPO 2010