Images ©:varese2008.org

September 25: Men's time trial, 43.70km

Images ©:varese2008.org

September 28: Men's road race - 15 laps, 260.25km

Vladimir Gusev has been dropped from the Russian Olympic cycling team after a disputed drugs test.

The 25-year-old was set to compete in the individual time trial on 13 August and had been tipped to win a medal.

But he was fired by his Astana team in July after internal tests showed he had abnormal blood values, although he did not test positive for doping.

It is the second Russian drugs story in a week after seven track and field athletes were provisionally banned.

They were barred on suspicion of manipulating their out-of-competition urine samples and while Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko called those bans unprecedented, he said avoiding scandal was more important than losing medals.

Mutko then met with Russian Cycling Federation head Alexander Gusyatnikov to ensure that further doping allegations did not cloud their Olympics.

And despite not failing a test, Gusev's abnormal blood values have been enough to cost him a place.

Gusyatnikov suggested that Gusev's high-mountain training for Beijing could have altered his blood values.

He said: "This is a tragedy for the athlete, this kind of suspicion.

"Gusev spent a lot of time at altitude and his body was attuned to elevation where there is less oxygen.

"That alone has the effect of changing blood indicators. But all we can do now is wait and follow procedures."

Gusev's place in the team will be taken by Denis Menchov who finished fourth in this year's Tour de France.

photo : The Dublin Reeds  (picture in the Fan Gallery)
http://flickr.com/photos/dubrr/2281275944/