Cycling:The International Cycling Union (UCI) cleared Tour de France runner-up Oscar Pereiro of a doping offence yesterday after he tested positive for the anti-asthma drug salbutamol.

But the UCI said the Spaniard had shown "serious negligence" when he delayed providing evidence of a medical exemption.

"Although he had medical justification requested from September 2006 by the AFLD (French Anti-Doping Agency) proving that he suffered from asthma brought on by physical exertion, Oscar Pereiro delayed providing it to this organisation," it said.