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.
-
-
Italy's golden bikes worth €30k each stolen from Roubaix Track World Championships
The total loss amounts to several hundred thousand euros
By Jonny Long •
-
Ethan Hayter wins Omnium gold at Track World Championships in Roubaix
Katie Archibald and Neah Evans also won bronze in the women's Madison
By Jonny Long •
-
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
By Alex Ballinger •
-
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
By Jonny Long •
-
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
By Jonny Long •
-
USADA bans rider after testing positive for 10 different prohibited substances
The athlete has accepted a four-year suspension
By Jonny Long •
-
Former French Anti-Doping boss accuses Lance Armstrong of motor doping
Verdy says he doesn't think Armstrong's performances were possible on just EPO alone
By Jonny Long •
-
Vini Zabù: 'The MPCC timeline is very inappropriate'
The Italian team says there is a chance they won't be allowed to start the upcoming Giro, and if that is the case there are worries as to the future of the team
By Jonny Long •
-
WADA investigating UK Anti-Doping after allegedly allowing British Cycling to conduct own drug inquest
After a 2010 sample from a prominent rider returned trace amounts of the steroid nandralone, it is alleged UKAD allowed British Cycling to conduct their own private investigation into the matter
By Jonny Long •
-
'Will some be nervous about what you have to say?': Operacion Puerto doctor Eufemiano Fuentes to give rare TV interview
Fuentes admits he cheated, adding he doesn't know anyone who didn't
By Jonny Long •
