Chris Froome could be crowned winner of 2011 Vuelta a España after Juan José Cobo caught doping
The UCI has announced the Spaniard was guilty of doping from 2009 to 2011


Chris Froome could be crowned the winner of the 2011 Vuelta a España after Juan José Cobo has been caught doping.
The UCI has announced that the former Movistar rider was found guilty of doping from 2009 and 2011, based on abnormalities in his biological passport.
Retired rider Cobo has been banned for three years after the UCI’s Anti-Doping Tribunal ruled he had committed an anti-doping rule violation.
Cobo was the winner of the 2011 Vuelta ahead of Froome (then Sky Procycling), with Spanish media reporting that he will be stripped of the victory.
The 38-year-old can appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport and has one month to do so.
>>> Chris Froome could be back racing in six months, according to surgeon
A statement from the cycling’s international governing body the UCI, published on Thursday afternoon (June 13), said: “The UCI announces that the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal has rendered its decision in the case involving Juan José Cobo Acebo.
“The Anti-Doping Tribunal found the retired rider guilty of an anti-doping rules violation (use of a prohibited substance) based on abnormalities from 2009 and 2011 detected in his biological passport and imposed a three-year period of ineligibility on the rider.”
Cobo won the 2011 Vuelta while rider for Professional Continental outfit Geox-TMC Transformers, finishing just 13 seconds ahead of Froome and 1-39 ahead of Bradley Wiggins in third.
Froome is currently in intensive care after he suffered multiple injuries in a horrific crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
After falling heavily during a recon of the stage four time trial course at the Dauphiné, the 34-year-old suffered fractures to his pelvis, femur, elbow, and ribs, and underwent surgery just hours after the crash.
>>> ‘He’ll be back from this’: Pro peloton shows support for Chris Froome after horrific crash
The following year he joined Movistar, before moving down to continental outfit Torku Sekerspor in 2014 and then leaving the sport that year.
He took 10 pro wins during his career, including the overall at the Vuelta al País Vasco in 2007 and a stage of the Tour de France in 2008.
The UCI did not state what banned substance Cobo is believed to have taken, because the positive was found indirectly through his biological passport.
The passport is an electronic record for each rider, in which the results of all doping tests are collected and collated over a period of time, so any abnormalities caused by doping can be detected.
Thank you for reading 5 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 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.
-
-
“That was f***king hard!” Annemiek van Vleuten reacts after winning stage four of the Giro Donne
The Dutch rider warns that she is not in her best shape yet after arriving at the race from an altitude camp.
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
The best 4th of July cycling deals
Save big on apparel, accessories, tools with these 4th of July cycling deals!
By Cycling Weekly • Published
-
'I'm trying to get back to my old self again' — Chris Froome achieves his best result since 2019 horror crash
Chris Froome finished 11th at the Mercan Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes on Tuesday, his best result for almost three years
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome: Being competitive at Tour de France would be a 'dream scenario'
The Israel-Premier Tech rider on being back at his normal level, appreciating his past, and aiming to have form late into the season
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome set for 2022 race debut in Italy
The four-time Tour de France winner will return to racing at the Coppi e Bartali next week
By Richard Windsor • Published
-
Chris Froome claims 'racing has become more dangerous' due to 'abundance of data'
The Israel-Premier Tech rider suggests cycling performance has drastically improved since he became a professional, but not necessarily for the best
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Chris Froome says time trials should be raced on road bikes to improve safety
The four-time Tour de France champion gives his thoughts in light of Egan Bernal's recent training crash
By Jonny Long • Published
-
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
By Jonny Long • Published
-
'We need to see results from him': Israel-Start Up Nation expect Chris Froome's form to improve as they target a place among the super-teams
The four-time Tour winner will have to prove his form if he wants to be on the startline of the 2022 edition
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
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
By Jonny Long • Published