Asked about Ricco's positive test, Cavendish said: "It proves that the system is working that the cheats are getting caught."
"But it's not just in sport, it's in every aspect of life. I believe in hard work and I love my sport, maybe some don't have that passion," a visibly emotional Cavendish added.
Evans added: "It is very unfair because our sport is trying to do the right thing and it is crucified for doing the right thing."
"It's completely shocking," International Cycling Union (UCI) president Pat McQuaid said.
"It would strike me now that someone would have advised those guys to take some form of EPO thought to be undetectable because we haven't caught guys in this fashion for a long time.
"He's not Spanish but he's connected to Spain," added McQuaid, referring to the fact that Saunier Duval are a Spanish team.
Image: Team Colombia's Mark Cavendish of Great Britain celebrates after winning stage twelve.
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