Spaniard Mikel Astarloza, winner of the 16th stage of the Tour de France, has been suspended after failing an out of competition doping test, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said Friday.
The UCI said it had informed Astarloza of the provisional suspension while the Spanish cycling federation held a disciplinary hearing on the positive test for EPO before the Tour began.
“The decision to provisionally suspend Mr Astarloza was made in response to a report from the WADA accredited laboratory in Madrid indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of Recombinant EPO in a urine sample collected from him at an out-of-competition test on 26 June 2009,” the UCI said in a statement.
Astarloza has the right to request analysis of his B sample.
The overwhelming sentiment for doping in the peloton can best be summed up by Katusha sprinter Robbie McEwen on his Twitter page: “Astarloza, you’re a wanker. While I’m at it, Ricco – stay gone, we don’t want you back amongst us. Go ride with Kohl.”
Astarloza finished 11th in the overall standings of the 2009 Tour de France, and his stage 16 win marked the first time the rider had won a race on the road. Now the Spaniard will face disqualification from the event and a ban from cycling.