Ezequiel Mosquera cleared of doping by Spanish court
Although Spanish civil court has cleared Ezequiel Mosquera of his 2010 doping ban, the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes the final decision
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

A Spanish civil court overturned Ezequiel Mosquera's EPO-linked doping suspension and reinstated his second place overall in the 2010 Vuelta a España behind Vincenzo Nibali. The Spaniard reported that the court ruled during the last Vuelta, in August or September 2014, but the news only emerged this weekend.
"It's a relief, a huge relief," the 39-year-old told Spain's Marca newspaper on Sunday.
"The first feeling is relief, but I felt so much resignation that I got used to live with that feeling."
The civil court's ruling may not hold much weight since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, makes the final decision in sporting cases. For Mosquera to erase the ban, he would need to appeal his ban to CAS.
Mosquera’s troubles began when he was racing for Spanish second division team Xacobeo Galicia. He won the Bola del Mundo stage after out-lasting Nibali and Joaquím Rodríguez on the 23% gradients leading to the ski station. The victory helped him finish second overall in the Vuelta at 43 seconds the next day in Madrid.
The ride secured his new contract with first division team Vacansoleil in 2011, but before the 2010 season ended, on September 30, cycling's governing body, the UCI announced he failed an anti-doping test for Hydroxyethyl starch. The substance is known as an EPO masking agent.
He never rode in Vacansoleil's blue colours and received a two-year doping ban from the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC).
Even with the new civil court ruling, he explained that he will not compete again.
Mosquera's legal move is similar to one undertaken by Roberto Heras. The Spaniard fought his EPO doping ban and the national federation in local courts and won. In December 2012, Spain's Supreme Court noted the faulty laboratory work resulting in his positive test during the 2005 Vuelta a España and reinstated his overall victory.
Without the involvement of CAS, however, not much has changed. Vuelta organiser Unipublic still does recognise the ruling and lists Russian Denis Menchov as the 2005 winner.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
The Politest Man in Cycling - five days chasing victory with new sensation Thomas Gloag
Britain's latest cycling prodigy is as cheery and humble as they come
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
'I have bigger things to care about now’ - Team GB’s new mothers on their return to racing
Elinor Barker and Katy Marchant are excited to be back on the big stage, and have set their sights on the Olympics
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
By Jonny Long • Published
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long • Published
-
German former rider receives nine year doping ban and stripped of 11 years worth of results
Björn Thurau retired from racing at the end of 2019
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Doping ban for former Trek-Segafredo rider upheld after his appeal fails
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the four-year ban for the 36-year-old
By Alex Ballinger • Last updated