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.”