Juan Sebastian Molano pulled from Giro d’Italia due to ‘unusual physiological results’

UAE Team Emirates announced that the Colombian has been suspended while the tests are investigated

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Juan Sebastian Molano has been pulled from the Giro d’Italia due to “unusual physiological results.”

UAE Team Emirates announced that the Colombian had returned the results during internal testing.

Molano was suspended by the team ahead of stage four of the Giro while further testing is carried out.

>>> Fernando Gaviria says ‘in my view Viviani is the winner’ after Giro d’Italia stage three controversy

A statement from UAE Team Emirates, released on Tuesday (May 14), said: “After tests performed under the team’s strict and sophisticated internal monitoring system, UAE Team Emirates announces that some seemingly unusual physiological results have come back for the rider Juan Sebastian Molano.

“Following team policy concerning the protection of our athletes’ health, the Colombian will be suspended to undergo further testing in the following week, in collaboration with the UCI, as we try to determine the cause of these unusual results.”

Molano joined UAE Team Emirates at the start of 2019, making the step up from Colombian Professional Continental outfit Manzana Postobon.

Announcing his signing, Molano said: “To be part of a team like UAE Team Emirates is a dream come true in my career.

"To get to this point means that my hard work is paying off, and for that reason I feel calm, motivated, and ready to give my best in the team.”

The 24-year-old has taken 10 wins in his career, including the Tour of China overall last season and a stage of Tour Colombia in February.

>>> Five talking points from stage three of the Giro d’Italia 2019

He finished Tour Colombia 94th overall, before going on to ride Omloop Het Nieuwsblad which he did not finish.

Molano started the Giro di Sicilia but again did not finish before riding the Tour of Turkey, taking sixth on stage four.

He placed 156th in the opening time trial of the Giro d’Italia, followed by 148th on stage two and 21st on stage three.

Molano is the second rider to leave the Giro after Nippo-Vini Fantini-Faizanè’s Hiroki Nishimura finished outside the time cut on the stage one TT.

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

Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.