Entire Brazilian cycling team facing second ban after breaking anti-doping rules

The Soul Brasil Pro Cycling team are facing a second blanket ban from competition after two of their riders committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced on Monday afternoon that Brazilian rider Alex Correia Diniz has been provisionally suspended due to an adverse passport finding, and fellow Brazilian Otavio Bulgarelli has been provisionally suspended for 'tampering'.

The team, then racing under the name Funvic Soul Cycles-Carrefour, were suspended en masse in December last year for 55 days after three of their riders had tested positive within a 12-month period.

>>> Entire Brazilian team suspended after three doping positives

Colombian Ramiro Rincon Diaz and Brazilians João Marcelo Pereira Gaspar and Kleber Da Silva Ramos from the Professional Continental-level team all failed tests for EPO CERA.

The previous ban expired on February 12 2017.

The team now faces a second ban from competition, which under UCI rules can range from 15 days to 12 months. The UCI's Disciplinary Commission will decide on the length of suspension at a future date.

Last week, the team was in action at the Volta a Catalunya in Spain. Spanish rider Jordi Simon was the squad's only finisher, in 39th place overall.