CYCLING:RUSSIAN ALEXANDR Kolobnev has tested positive for a banned substance during the Tour de France, the International Cycling Union (UCI) has said.

The union said a urine sample provided by Kolobnev, part of the Katusha team, on July 6th, was found to have the presence of hydrochlorothiazide.

Earlier today, the UCI advised the Russian rider Alexandr Kolobnev of an adverse analytical finding (presence of hydrochlorothiazide based on the report from the Wada accredited laboratory in Chatenay-Malabry) in the urine sample collected from him at an in-competition test at the Tour de France on 6 July 2011,” the UCI said in a statement.

Hydrochlorothiazide, often used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure, removes excess fluid from the body and reduces urine output.

Kolobnev is free to continue riding in the Tour, the UCI said, because its anti-doping rules “do not provide” for a provisional suspension “given the nature of the substance which is a specified substance”.

However, the UCI added it was “confident his team will take the necessary steps to enable the Tour de France to continue in serenity”.

Kolobnev has four days to request an analysis of a B sample.

French police were at the Katusha team hotel yesterday evening, an eye witness said.