Nairo Quintana disqualified from Tour de France after twice testing positive for tramadol
The Colombian will still race at the Vuelta a España because it is not considered a doping violation
The UCI has retrospectively disqualified Nairo Quintana (Arkéa–Samsic) from the 2022 Tour de France, after two dried blood samples provided to the UCI by the Colombian revealed the presence of banned painkiller tramadol.
Consequently, Quintana, who had finished sixth on GC and achieved a second place finish on stage 11 atop the Col du Granon, has had his results from the race wiped. The UCI clarified, though, that because this is his first offence, he can still compete at the upcoming Vuelta a España and other races.
Tramadol is a strong painkiller, available either as an injection or orally, and has been banned by the UCI since March 2019 due to side-effects the drug can cause. These include nausea, dizziness, indigestion, vertigo, vomiting, constipation and drowsiness.
The World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) doesn't include tramadol on its banned substance list.
The UCI stated: “The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that the Colombian rider Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas has been sanctioned for an infringement of the in-competition ban on using tramadol as set out in the UCI Medical Rules with the aim of protecting the safety and health of riders in light of the side-effects of this substance,” the statement from the UCI said.
“The analyses of two dried blood samples provided by the rider on 8 and 13 July during the 2022 Tour de France revealed the presence of tramadol and its two main metabolites. In accordance with the UCI Medical Rules, the rider is disqualified from the 2022 Tour de France.”
Quintana has the opportunity to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the next 10 days.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
At the Tour de France, the UCI collected 120 dried blood samples as part of the tramadol programme. The drug was first banned by cycling's governing body from competition on March 1, 2019, in order to protect riders' health due to adverse effects people can suffer when using the drug
International Testing Agency (ITA) collect the samples via a small amount of blood from the rider's fingertip, before the sample analysis is conducted at the Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at Geneva University.
Following an independent review at the University of Lausanne’s Centre of Research and Expertise in Anti-Doping Sciences (REDs), the results are submitted to the UCI Medical Director, who administers sanctions based on the UCI Medical Rules.
Thank you for reading 20 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
Ryan is a staff writer for Cycling Weekly, having joined the team in September 2021. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before making his way to cycling. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer.
-
Is your bike the noisest in the bunch? 13 steps to a silent ride
A quiet bike is a joy to ride, so here's how to banish unwanted noises - what to check for, how to fix it and why you shouldn't ignore what your bike is telling you
By Tim Russon Published
-
Cycplus Tiny E-Pump AS2 Review - an electric alternative to CO2
Small enough to fit in your pockets, it inflates to 100psi with a 200-second usage per charge
By Paul Grele Published
-
'We're thinking about it' - drone filming might be used at the Tour de France this year
France Télévisions to discuss drone broadcasts with Tour stakeholders
By Tom Davidson Published
-
British bid to host Tour de France Grand Départ in 2026 abandoned
UK Sport confirms that Tour Grand Départ is now merely an "opportunity" in 2027
By Jeremy Whittle Published
-
Sepp Kuss says he can win the Tour de France - but can he really?
The American is a master of the mountains, but he'll have to topple the Visma-Lease a Bike hierarchy if he wants a yellow jersey
By Tom Davidson Published
-
BMC applies for help from Swiss government to avoid job cuts
Government will pay wages via ‘short-time working’ to avoid job losses at Swiss bike giant
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'Spreading laughter on the roads of France': The Laughing Cow returns to the Tour de France
La Vache qui rit returns to the French Grand Tour as a sponsor, meaning the caravan might be a bit smellier this year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard reveals he missed an anti-doping test
'It's not great to have a missed test hanging over you,' says Tour de France champion
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Over 8 million people have watched this TikTok video of a ‘Tour de France’ horse incident
The farm animal wasn't the last to make a cameo at a bike race
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Fan photos have quadrupled' - has Netflix's Tour de France Unchained made riders more popular?
The show's stars have seen their profiles boosted by the new documentary
By Tom Davidson Published