Brussels, Jan 31 (IANS): Luxembourg cyclist Frank Schleck was banned for a year after testing positive in last year's Tour de France.
The RadioShack Nissan Trek leader's ban, imposed Wednesday, will run until July 14 when this year's Tour de France enters its last week, reports Xinhua.
Schleck, 32, tested positive for the diuretic Xipamide and left the Tour five stages from the end last year.
Luxembourg anti-doping authorities could have given him a two-year ban but decided to reduce the penalty as it was Schleck's first offence after remaining clean during "countless doping controls".