seconds over Britains Chris Froome at the end of the 156.4-kilometer (97.1-mile) run from Alcaniz to Peniscola. Est

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- Five Russian race walkers have been suspended for four years after testing positive for EPO.The sanctions were announced Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The five, including 2013 world championship silver medalist Mikhail Ryzhov, all tested positive for blood-boosting EPO in June 2015 at Russias national training center in Saransk.Also suspended were former European championship medalist Ivan Noskov, Elmira Alembekova, Vera Sokolova and Ivan Noskov.The sanctions were handled by CAS because the Russian track and field federation is currently suspended.A World Anti-Doping Agency investigation last year found that athletes and coaches had tried to obstruct drug testers from collecting samples during the out-of-competition controls that caught the five. The Saransk center was then under the control of coach Viktor Chegin, who was banned for life in March. More than 25 of his athletes have failed drug tests. PENISCOLA, Spain -- Nairo Quintana of Colombia comfortably held on to his Spanish Vuelta lead as Jean-Pierre Drucker of Luxembourg sprinted to win Mondays flat stage in northeastern Spain.Quintana maintained his advantage of 3 minutes, 37 seconds over Britains Chris Froome at the end of the 156.4-kilometer (97.1-mile) run from Alcaniz to Peniscola. Esteban Chaves of Colombia remained third overall, 20 seconds back, followed closely by Spaniard Alberto Contador.The uneventful 16th stage, the last before the races final rest day Tuesday, came after a three-day mountain marathon in which Quintana built his significant lead over Froome.Quintana had increased his 54-second lead after leading the charge up the last of three ascents on Sunnday while Froome and Team Sky struggled to pursue.ddddddddddddWe are close to our goal but we have some tough days ahead of us, said Quintana, of Team Movistar.Drucker outsprinted German riders Rudiger Selig and Nikias Arndt to clinch Mondays victory for BMC Racing Team.Drucker was among more than 90 riders who were allowed to remain in the race despite finishing outside the maximum time allowed behind the leaders in the previous stage, which racing officials said was atypical.Wednesdays 17th stage is back in the mountains for a 177.5-kilometer (110-mile) route that goes inland from Castellon to Llucena. ' ' '