Samuel Sánchez has been given a back-dated ban for a positive test in 2017.
The Spaniard returned a positive result in August 2017 and has been under a provisional suspension since, while the UCI investigated the anti-doping rule violation.
Cycling’s governing body the UCI announced on Monday (May 13) that Sánchez, a former BMC Racing rider, would be banned for two years.
The sanction has been backdated, so the 41-year-old will be eligible to race again after August 16, 2019.
>>> Driver ignores marshals at Velo 2019 and narrowly misses colliding with riders
Sánchez was provisionally suspended after testing positive for the growth hormone GHRP-2 in an out-of-competition test on August 9, 2017, with the UCI confirming the finding just days before the Vuelta a España.
BMC then terminated his contract in October that year after analysis of the B sample confirmed the finding.
Sánchez, Olympic road race champion at the 2008 games, said in the wake of the positive test that it was “a total surprise” and that he “could not believe it.”
A statement from the UCI said: “Samuel Sánchez has been sanctioned with a period of ineligibility of two years, following an anti-doping rule violation committed on August 9.
“After careful review of the explanations and evidence submitted by Mr Sánchez, the UCI has accepted the likelihood that the origin of the ADVR was a contaminated supplement Mr Sánchez was using.
“While the UCI would have preferred the case to be resolved sooner, establishing the source of the ADRV required multiple scientific analyses, as well as follow-up investigations, to make sure the correct conclusions were reached.”
>>> Danilo Hondo fired from coaching role after confessing to blood doping
After being suspended, Sánchez set up The Samuel Sánchez-MMR Cycling Academy to support riders aged from nine to 18 years old.
The academy, based in Asturias in northern Spain where Sánchez is from, was established in 2015.
Sánchez started his career with Euskatel-Euskadi where he remained until 2013, before making the switch to BMC.
During his career he finished second in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España overall, and winning five stages of the Vuelta.
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
BikeExchange interested in Tom Dumoulin for 2023 'if he wants to carry on with GC ambitions'
Dumoulin will be free at the end of 2022, when his contract with Jumbo-Visma runs out
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Joss Lowden is finally about to turn full-time pro aged 34, but for women cyclists it's rarely that simple
A move to Andorra is on the cards, as well as some family planning before Paris 2024
By Jonny Long •
-
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 •
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long •
-
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 •
-
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 •
-
Delko rider banned for doping says he tested positive after eye surgery
A Delko rider banned for doping has claimed he tested positive after having eye surgery.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Doctor at centre of Operation Aderlass doping scandal jailed by German court
The doctor at the centre of the Operation Aderlass doping scandal has been jailed by a German court.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Doctor at centre of Operation Aderlass scandal admits to doping athletes
The doctor at the centre of the Operation Aderlass scandal has admitted doping athletes during his ongoing trial.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Georg Preidler spared jail after admitting involvement in Operation Aderlass blood doping ring
Georg Preidler has been spared jail after admitting his involvement in the Operation Aderlass blood doping ring.
By Alex Ballinger •
