Doping overshadows win

NIMES, France – Mark Cavendish wants to talk about his latest stage victory – not doping. British cyclist David Millar pleads with fans: “Please, don’t give up on us.”

This may not be easy. This, after all, is the Tour de France.

Cavendish, a British sprint specialist on Team Columbia, captured the 13th stage Friday – the fourth stage he has won and second in a row. He prevailed over a 113-mile course on a hot and wind-swept day along the Mediterranean while Cadel Evans of Australia kept the yellow jersey.

The drug use that is battering cycling’s image yet again is starting to weigh on the riders’ minds. But for Italy’s Riccardo Ricco, who tested positive for the blood booster EPO, the consequences could be far more than psychological.

French authorities filed preliminary charges against him Friday. He could face two years in prison if convicted on charges of using toxic substances, a French prosecutor said.

Ricco, who won two stages of this Tour, was fired from his Saunier Duval-Scott team, a day after he was kicked out of the race. He is the third rider to be ousted.

After his release from police custody, Ricco made no clear denials. Instead, he defiantly said he wasn’t surprised by the team’s decision to fire him.

“It’s the routine for the teams,” Ricco told Italy’s RAI state TV. “That’s what they have to do. I’ll be back. I’ll be back stronger than before.”

Ricco’s teammate Leonardo Piepoli, who won the 10th stage, was also fired for “violation of the team’s ethical code.”

In any case, this was not something Cavendish cared to discuss.

“I’ve just won the stage, and I’ve just heard about that,” Cavendish said. “On another day, I don’t want somebody else to overshadow my victory again. So, please, no questions on that.”

Evans leads his closest rival, Frank Schleck of Luxembourg, by 1 second. Christian Vande Velde of the United States is third, 38 seconds behind.