VERONA, Italy, October 9 (Reuters) - Dutch cyclist Erik Dekker, who failed a blood test on Saturday, was within the regulation haematocrit level just 24 hours earlier, his team doctor said.

The result of the test for red blood cells means Dekker will now miss Sunday's elite world road race championship.

Dr Gert Leinders, the Dutch team's doctor, said he was astonished when he heard that the 29-year-old cyclist had been over the allowed 50 per cent red blood cell level.

Dekker is the first Dutch rider to fail the tests which were introduced by the International Cycling Union two years ago to safeguard riders' health.

"All Dutch riders were checked on Friday by Dr Leinders, and Dekker was okay," said Frank van der Meijden, a spokesman for the Dutch team's sponsors.

"It is known that Eric has a naturally high level, and (the sponsors) are waiting for an explanation."

Van der Meijden said the sponsors were waiting to know all the facts but if there was any use of (the blood enhancing) erythropoeitin (EPO) they would withdraw their sponsorship.

Joop Atsma, the president of the Dutch federation, said: "There could be other explanations for his high level, and that is what we have to find out."

On Wednesday Moldovan Igor Bonciucov was excluded from the time-trial after failing a similar blood test.

Dekker finished eighth in Wednesday's event.

More than 60 checks have been made so far at the world road championships, which began on Monday.