Iranian rider hit with seven-year-and-six-month ban for doping

Former Iranian cycling national champion Rahim Emami has been suspended from competition for seven years and six months for failing an anti-doping test.

The 34-year-old Pishgaman Cycling Team rider returned a positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroid at the Jelajah Malaysia stage race on October 18 2016. The suspension was published on the UCI's current list of anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) sanctions.

As his suspension expires on May 24 2024, when Emami will be 42, the ban effectively ends his professional cycling career.

>>> Entire Iranian team banned after second rider tests positive

Emami's positive previously led to a suspension for the entire UCI continental-level team for 30 days, as he was one of two of its riders had registered an ADRV within a 12-month period.

Naser Rezavi also failed a test for anabolic androgenic steroids on December 11 2015 and was given a four-year ban.

Another Iranian cyclist, Ahad Kazemi of the Tabriz Petrochemical Team, is currently serving an eight-year ban for an ADRV for testosterone from a sample taken at the 2016 Tour of Iran.