Szczepaniak brothers receive hefty suspensions for EPO positives
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Pawel and Kacper Szczepaniak - the two Polish riders who placed first and second at the cyclo-cross under-23 world championships - have received eight and four year bans from competition after testing positive for EPO.
The Szczepaniak brothers dominated the under-23 men's cyclo-cross race in Tabor, Czech Republic, in January, beating the pre-race favourites. However, both of the riders' samples taken during the worlds tested positive for banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO).
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) confirmed on Friday that they have been handed lengthy suspensions - some of the longest ever handed to cyclists - and have had their world championship results stripped. Both riders have also been fined.
In the light of the bans, third-placed Arnaud Jouffroy (France) has been named as the under-23 cyclo-cross world champion by the UCI.
Related links
Under-23 men's cyclo-cross world championships report
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published