National 12-hour time trial champion Robin Townsend has been handed a four-year ban by UK Anti-Doping after testing positive for a banned stimulant in a September race.
The 46-year-old, riding for Team Swift, tested positive for modafinil at an in-competition test on September 5, having finished ninth at the Burton and District Cycling Alliance 100-mile event.
Townsend accepted UKAD's findings but claimed he had not intentionally ingested the stimulant, saying his drink was spiked before the event. The ban runs from October 8, 2015 to midnight on October 7, 2019.
>>> Banned cyclist Robin Townsend claims drink was spiked by longtime rival before time trial
Graham Arthur, UKAD’s Director of Legal said: “Under the World Anti-Doping Code all athletes, whether amateur or professional, must follow the principal of ‘Strict Liability’. They are solely responsible for any banned substance which is found in their system, whether or not there is an intention to cheat.
“This can be challenging for an athlete - they need to be aware of the danger to their career at all times.”
Thank you for reading 5 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
-
-
The David Guetta of the peloton? Analysing Pieter Serry's Giro d'Italia playlist
We listened to Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl's playlist so you didn't have to
-
Caleb Ewan's struggles continue at 'Giro d'Italia from hell'
The Australian rider seemed dejected on Instagram after finishing over 30 minutes on stage ten
-
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
-
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'
-
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
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
