AIGLE, Switzerland -- French rider Sylvain Georges tested positive for a banned stimulant in a doping test at the Giro d'Italia.
The international cycling federation said Wednesday that traces of the stimulant Heptaminol were found in a urine sample from Georges after Friday's seventh stage.
Georges can request that a backup "B" sample be tested.
No provisional ban was given, although Georges did not start Wednesday's 11th stage.
The 28-year-old Georges rides for the AG2R La Mondiale team.
During last week's fourth stage, Georges attempted a solo attack on the final climb but was quickly chased down.
After Tuesday's 10th stage he stood 81st overall -- 1 hour, 3 minutes, 54 seconds behind race leader Vincenzo Nibali.
It was the first doping case reported during this year's race.
The UCI considers Heptaminol a specified substance, which the World Anti-Doping Agency defines as those that are "more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation." Bans for such substances are often shorter, and athletes have a better chance of proving that they did not intend to consume it or enhance their performance.
