Colombian under 23 champion, Róbinson López (Team Boyacá) faces a lengthy ban after news on Wednesday that he tested positive for blood booster CERA EPO.
>>> ‘Former dopers have no place in the sport of cycling’ says UCI boss
The Colombian national websites reported that 20-year-old López tested positive in an anti-doping test in August during the Vuelta a Colombia. He finished 14th overall and won the young rider classification.
The race ran over three weeks ago from August 1 to 13, but local media has not reported which day he failed the anti-doping test.
Cycling Weekly was still waiting for a reply from UCI officials when this article was published. Its Clean Sport website section had yet to be updated with the news of López's provisional suspension.
The governing body recently delivered a four-year ban to Brazilian João Marcelo Gaspar Pereira for using the same drug.
López, with his under 23 road race solo victory in February and young rider win in Colombia, was due to make the step to Europe in 2018. Unieuro-Trevigiani, one of Italy's top continental development teams, signed him.
The Vuelta a Colombia featured several top local riders and some who used to race in the WorldTour, who are now back home in smaller teams. Aristobulo Cala won the overall by 12-04 minutes over López.
He comes a rural area of the Boyacá municipality, where he would train for four hours and return to work on his parents' farm growing potatoes, carrots and onions.
His Boyacá es Para Vivirla team is partly sponsored by Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España victor Nairo Quintana (Movistar). The Grand Tour star occasionally would train with the young riders and offer advice.
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
-
-
Geraint Thomas 'helps a brother out', aiding Mark Cavendish's valedictory Giro d'Italia stage win
Cavendish now has one final Giro stage win. Will he get one final Tour de France equivalent in July?
-
Charlotte Kool wins final stage of RideLondon-Classique to seal overall victory
Kool edges out Dyget and Van der Duin in bunch sprint
-
Convicted EPO doper Jarlinson Pantano returns to cycling with Colombian EPM team
Former Trek-Segafredo and IAM Cycling rider rejoins peloton after his four-year band expires
-
American cyclist Jackson ’Huntley’ Nash handed lifetime ban after doping violations
USADA hand down penalty after multiple offences discovered by investigation
-
Guillaume Martin: The big question is this grey area of ketones
The Frenchman says he is in favour of banning ketones for reasons of fairness
-
Julian Alaphilippe doesn't share Arnaud Démare's concerns over performance products used in the peloton
The Frenchman also says he 'won't be shouting from the rooftops' when he eventually decides to compete for the Tour de France yellow jersey
-
US amateur rider handed four-year doping ban after winning cat three race
The 49-year-old was tested after his win in the Arizona State Championships this summer
-
David Lappartient: Riders are sharing rumours of new doping techniques, they feel there is a gap
"Man is limitless in the imagination to cheat," the UCI President said
-
UK Anti-Doping's case against Richard Freeman paused after doping doctor appeals tribunal verdict
UKAD will resume proceedings against Richard Freeman after his High Court appeal
-
Former Vini Zabù rider banned for three years after testing positive at Giro d’Italia
A former Vini Zabù rider has been banned for three years after testing positive at the Giro d’Italia.
