Xacobeo-Galicia have sacked their Vuelta a Espana doctor because of his links to three riders in another team who have tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO.

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• Three suspended after positive test

Xacobeo-Galicia said that Colombian doctor Alberto Beltran, hired especially for the Vuelta, had been fired as a "preventative measure".

The team added Beltran had previously worked for Liberty Seguros. Three riders in that team, Spaniards Isidro Nozal and Hector Guerra and Portugal's Nuno Ribeiro, tested positive for EPO on August 3, the International Cycling Union said on Friday.

"As soon as the case was announced on Friday about the three riders in the Portuguese team for which Dr Beltran worked, his contract was ended," said Xacobea-Galicia.

Spaniard Ezequiel Mosquera (pictured) is Xacobea-Galicia's best-placed rider in the Vuelta, lying fifth. The team won stage nine thanks to home rider Gustavo Cesar Veloso.