Strong season start turns sour for Chilean rider
South American cycling has been hit by the news that the winner of the Tour de San Luis and Vuelta a Chile, Marco Arriagada, has tested positive for an unidentified anabolic agent.
The Chilean was took three stages plus the overall in his national Tour last month, beating closest rival Gonzalo Andres Garrido Zenteno by almost three minutes. The T-Banc Skechers rider was tested en route to what was his third overall victory in the event and the results have now confirmed that he had taken a banned substance. He denies deliberately doing so.
Arriagada is a triple Olympian, having participated in the Games in 1996, 2004 and 2008, and has competed on road and track. He has Panamerican Games and world championship medals to his credit.
Now 35 years of age, he had a superb start to the season. He beat Jose Serpa (Androni Giocattoli) to win the Tour de San Luis, then went on to take those three stages plus the overall in Chile. He also won a stage and finished third overall in the Vuelta Independencia Nacional.
There is reportedly at least one more positive test from the Vuelta a Chile. The name of the rider concerned has not yet been released.
Arriagada faces a ban of up to two years if he is found guilty of doping.