The Russian cyclist Alexandr Kolobnev has been sacked by his Katusha team for failing a drugs test on the Tour de France.
The team's public relations officer says Kolobnev will have to pay damages for tarnishing the team's image, once the case is over.
The International Cycling Union released a statement earlier this morning saying a urine sample provided by Kolobnev on July 6th tested positive to the banned diuretic Hydrochlorothiazide, which can also be used to mask other drugs.
The Tour resumes tonight after its first rest day.
