Luxembourg’s Frank Schleck says he will lodge a formal complaint for poisoning if analysis of his ‘B’ sample confirms a first positive test for a banned diuretic at the Tour de France.

Schleck left the Tour late Tuesday, hours after being told by the International Cycling Union (UCI) he had tested positive for Xipamide, a banned diuretic.

In a statement issued to Luxembourg radio RTL yesterday morning, the Luxembourg rider said he formally rejected that he had taken the banned substance.

“I categorically deny having taken any banned substances. I cannot explain the positive result of this test and I insist on my right to see the B sample analysed,” said Schleck, who finished third overall in last year’s race.

“If this analysis confirms the result of the first test, a formal complaint will be lodged for poisoning.”

Although under UCI rules the 32-year-old Luxembourger could have started the race’s 16th stage yesterday, RadioShack decided to send him home.

However, team spokesman Philippe Maertens said Schleck’s reaction to the news was one of disbelief: “I saw his face when he heard the news... he went very pale. It wasn’t the face of someone who’s guilty.”

Schleck has four days in which to ask for the analysis of his B sample, which, if positive, will lead to his suspension from the team according to RadioShack, and a possible suspension from competition.

Because Xipamide falls under the ‘Specified Substances’ category of the World Anti Doping Code called, Schleck has a chance to prove his innocence.

For a first violation, athletes face anything from “a reprimand” to, at most, “one year’s ineligiblity”.