Kashechkin's positive sample was given after the Tour de France

His team leader, Kazakh compatriot Alexandre Vinokourov, was sacked during the Tour de France for the same reason.

"As it was to be expected, the B sample of Andrej Kashechkin has also tested positive for blood doping," said Astana in a statement.

"After being temporarily suspended by the Astana cycling team, Kashechkin is dismissed with immediate effect."

Kashechkin, who finished third overall in last year's Tour of Spain, was snared during a random doping control while training in Turkey on 1 August.

Both he and Vinokourov have protested their innocence and vowed to fight their sanctions. Both are facing two-year bans from the sport.

Astana withdrew from the Tour de France following Vinokourov's positive test and were subsequently banned from the Tour of Spain, which begins on 1 September.