French rider Marion Sico responded to reports that she tested positive for EPO by claiming that women have higher levels of EPO during their menstrual cycle.

Sico's case was published in the French newspaper L'Equipe on Friday, and the article stated that Sico is the coach of Franck Alaphilippe, who is also the coach of his cousin Julien Alaphilippe, who recently as part of Alaphilippe's contract extension It noted that he was hired by Detunink Quickstep.

Sico, a member of the small Belgian team Dolcini Van Eyck Sport, reportedly tested positive for EPO at the French time trial championships on June 27. She finished 10th in the time trial and 9th in the road race. She was scheduled to compete in the Tour de France La Course (open in new tab), but cancelled her entry after being informed that EPO was detected in her A-sample.

If the test confirmed the presence of EPO and Sico was found guilty of doping, Sico would be banned for four years.

Sico confirmed the news of the test on the Directvelo (opens in new tab) website and revealed that she is awaiting the testing of her B sample, which will take place within the next 10 days. She insists that she has done nothing wrong.

"I just want to say that I am innocent," Directvelo tells Cicotto.

"I'm just waiting for the analysis of sample B. I'm not sure if it's a sample of the same substance or not, but it's a sample of the same substance. The levels detected are very low. I was menstruating at the time of the test and the inspector made a note of it. During menstruation, women produce more EPO.

"I have not ingested anything and I hope the truth will come out soon. I haven't done anything and I want to prove it. I have even borrowed money from my parents because I want to fight to prove my innocence."

According to Le Monde, Michel Audrin, director of the French Anti-Doping Institute, described Sico's claims as "quite fanciful." He noted that the EPO anti-doping test can detect the difference between endogenous and exogenous EPO.

Sicot told L'Equipe that he stopped working with Franck Alaphilippe after the French championships, where the tests were conducted.

"It has nothing to do with the inspection. Franck has joined Detunink Quick Step and is no longer able to take care of me," Directvelo reported her as saying.

She told Le Monde that she had met Frank Alaphilippe only once and was coached remotely through e-mail exchanges of power data and training plans.

According to L'Equipe, an attempt to contact Franck Alaphilippe on Thursday was unsuccessful.