Kolobnev Tour doping hearing set for February

Alexandr Kolobnev will have his Tour de France doping case heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on February 7, the organisation confirmed on Friday.

The CAS hearing is a result of an appeal lodged by the sport's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), in response to the Russian cycling federation (FVSR) giving Kolobnev a warning and small fine for failing an anti-doping test at the 2011 Tour.

Kolobnev was fined just over £1,000 by FVSR, which said it had 'taken into account extenuating circumstances'. If CAS rules in favour of the UCI, Kolobnev will face a suspension from competition, usually two years in such cases.

Kolobnev tested positive for banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used as a masking agent for other banned substances, after stage five of the Tour in July. It was the only positive test of the race.

Kolobnev has not had his contract renewed with Katusha and is currently without a squad for 2012. He has not raced since leaving the Tour.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport are also due to give a final verdict at the end of January on the case of Alberto Contador's positive test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France.

Related links

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