Michael Rogers tests positive for clenbuterol

Saxo-Tinkoff rider Michael Rogers has been provisionally suspended by the UCI after testing positive for clenbuterol in October.

Rogers, 33, provided the positive urine sample at the Japan Cup road race on October 20 this year, in which he soloed to victory.

The UCI issued a press release today, saying: "The decision to provisionally suspend this rider was made in response to a report from the WADA-accredited laboratory in Tokyo indicating an adverse analytical finding of clenbuterol in a urine sample collected from him in a test during the Japan Cup Cycle Road Race on 20 October 2013.

"The provisional suspension of Mr. Michael Rogers remains in force until a hearing panel convened by his national federation determines whether he has committed an anti-doping rule violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.

"Mr. Rogers has the right to request and attend the analysis of his B sample."

Rogers joined Saxo from Team Sky for the 2013 season, having been a key part of Sir Bradley Wiggins' Tour de France victory. Coincidentally, his current team-mate Alberto Contador had his 2010 Tour title stripped from him for testing positive for the same substance. 

He also won three-consecutive World Time Trial Championships between 2003 and 2005, the first of which was awarded to him after David Millar confessed to taking EPO.

The news will come as a blow for new team owner Oleg Tinkov, who proudly stated at the start of December that no squad he has ever been associated with has ever had a rider test positive. 

The sport's governing body also confirmed this afternoon that Belgian rider Jonathan Breyne (Crelan-Euphony) has also been suspended for supplying a positive test for clenbuterol at the Tour of Taihu Lake on November 5. 

Clenbuterol helps build muscle, increases oxygen transportation and helps the body to burn fat more quickly.