Cycling: Tashkent Express derailed

Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, the "Tashkent Express", who tested positive for drugs after six races last year, including the Tour de France, has been banned for a year.

The Uzbekistani was also fined SFr4,000 (pounds 1,700) and had 300 points deducted from his individual ranking by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

The court made its decision after the International Cycling Union had appealed against a six-month ban imposed by the Uzbekistan Cycling Federation, claiming it was too lenient. The court ruled that the federation's six- month penalty was "unsatisfactory."

Abdoujaparov was found to have taken the stimulant Bromantan after riding in five races - Les Trois Jours de la Panne, the Prix de la Ville de Rennes, La Cote Picarde, the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque and the Criterium du Dauphine Libere - as well as testing positive for Bromantan and the anabolic steroid, Clenbuterol after the Tour de France. The ban is effective from 12 July last year.