Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Schleck suspended for doping

BRUSSELS (AP) -- Cyclist Frank Schleck was suspended for a year Wednesday and will miss the Tour de France for using a banned substance on last year's Tour.

Luxembourg anti-doping authorities backdated the suspension, sidelining Schleck until July 14 when the Tour enters its last week.

Schleck, who finished third in the 2011 Tour, dropped out of the race last year after testing positive for the diuretic Xipamide.

Schleck, 32, is one of the top riders in the peloton and a proven winner both in one-day classic and multistage events.

The RadioShack Nissan Trek leader dropped out of the Tour last July 17, five stages from the end and three days after testing positive.

Schleck was facing up to a two-year suspension, but the Luxembourg anti-doping authorities shied away from that.