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Manuel Beltran, who was withdrawn from the Tour de France after failing a dope test, was at the airport when the rest of the peloton set off on the eighth stage on Saturday.

"He was at the airport this morning and is returning home," said Liquigas team manager Roberto Amadio before the start of the 172.5 kilometre ride to Toulouse.

"I went to the police with him yesterday when he was heard for two hours."

Beltran said: "I wish to express my desire that neither my team sponsors nor my colleagues are harmed by these events, for which reason I hope that no one takes action against them that indiscriminately harms them.

"Following the usual procedure in these cases, I will request a test of the B sample and ask that my presumption of innocence be respected until we have the results of that test."

Although Beltran's positive test, the first of this year's race, was the buzz of the morning, Tour organisers played it down.

"We have to stay calm. I don't understand that this can grow out of proportion. It is ordinary that on such a big sporting event with 180 riders at the start there is a positive test," said Patrice Clerc, president of organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO).

"I am always surprised when in big sporting events no one gets caught."

Tour director Christian Prudhomme said: "It is always disappointing but what I can say is that there is one less cheat on the Tour."

Liquigas withdrew Beltran from the race after he tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO). They will fire him if his B-sample returns positive and could sue him for damages.

"It's in his contract. If he is positive, the company can ask him for damages," said Amadio.

"We did not ask him to win the Tour. He has no excuses, I am very disappointed."

Liquigas rider Manuel Quinziato said: "I am a bit worried for the future of the team. I know that the Liquigas boss is a fan of cycling and I can imagine how he feels now."

Liquigas's contract with the team finishes at the end of 2010.

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AFP / Eurosport