UCI moves to ban Tramadol in-competition use and introduces revised rules for low cortisol

Governing body will prevent riders from competing if they show low levels of cortisol

The peloton at the Giro d'Italia (Sunada)

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

The UCI has announced that it will ban the use of the analgesic Tramadol from in-competition use from 2019.

Pain-killer Tramadol has been was shown as recently as last week in a World Anti-Doping Agency report to be widely used among professional road riders, with numerous cases of anecdotal evidence over recent years of riders using the drug during races.

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Richard Windsor

Follow on Twitter: @richwindy


Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.


An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).