BORDEAUX, France -- Tour de France leader Igor Gonzalez Galdeano tested positive for a restricted substance last week, but organizers said the Spanish cyclist is cleared to use the drug.

Traces of salbutamol were found in a July 12 test at the end of the stage from Forges-les-Eaux to Alencon, Tour spokesman Philippe Sudres told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

UCI, world cycling's governing body, "has long had a medical justification for this rider" to use salbutamol, Tour de France deputy director Daniel Baal said.

Salbutamol is taken to treat asthma and is banned unless athletes have a medical prescription.

It was not immediately possible to contact the rider's Once team.

Gonzalez Galdeano has led the Tour de France for the last six stages. He is ahead of three-time champion Lance Armstrong by 26 seconds in the overall standings. The Spanish rider finished 13 minutes, 28 seconds behind Armstrong last year.