Three more Italian cyclists have been thrown out of the Tour of Portugal after failing surprise blood tests conducted in Lisbon yesterday.

Gilberto Simoni and Andrea Dolci of Cantini Tollo and Massimo Apollonio (Vini Caldirola) were found by doctors from the International Cycling Union to have more than the allowed 50 per cent level of red blood cells.

The trio's expulsion comes 24 hours after four of their compatriots riding for Mobilvetta were also sent home for failing identical tests.

A high level of red blood cells can be an indication of the use of the performance enhancing drug EPO.

Yesterday's controls were carried out on 25 cyclists from Cantini Tollo, Vini Caldirola and KRKA-Telekom of Slovakia.