German race excludes CSF Navigare

The German stage race Regio-Tour has rescinded its invitation to the Italian team CSF Group Navigare, following Emanuele Sella's positive doping test and confession to having used EPO-CERA.

"We don't want a team with a rider like that," race director Rudi Renz told the dpa press agency.

The five-day event, scheduled August 20-24, can boast three ProTour teams: Gerolsteiner, Milram and Rabobank. Two former winners will take part, Grischa Niermann of Rabobank and Nico Sijmens of Landbouwkrediet. "With these good riders, I can promise the fans a first-class race," Renz said.