Hamburg  - A positive test by the Italian rider Leonardo Piepoli for CERA, the third generation of the blood booster EPO, at this year's Tour de France has been confirmed by a French laboratory.

The internet website cyclingnews said Friday the B sample of the initial positive finding at July's Tour had been confirmed by the French laboratory of Chatenay-Malabry.

The 37-year-old rider is facing a two-year ban. (dpa)