Kolobnev cleared of doping

Lausanne - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has cleared Alexandr Kolobnev of doping at the 2011 Tour de France, and rejected the International Cycling Union's request to ban the Russian rider for two years.

The court ruled that Kolobnev's positive test for the diuretic Hydrochlorothiazide after the fifth stage was "justified by medical reasons totally unrelated to sport performance."

CAS accepted that Kolobnev received treatment for chronic vascular disease "for 15 years."

CAS upheld a Russian tribunal verdict which issued a reprimand and fine of 1 500 Swiss francs ($1 600).

Diuretics can hide the presence of other substances, but anti-doping rules allow athletes to prove they did not intend to consume it or enhance their performance.