UCI reveals seven Latin American cyclists suspended following string of failed drugs tests

World cycling’s governing body, the UCI, has revealed that seven cyclists from South America have been provisionally suspended after returning positive A samples following doping controls at a number of races in recent months.

Samples taken from Brazilian riders Tiago Damasceno (São Francisco Saúde-Ribeirão Preto) and Flavio Reblin (Grce Memorial-Pref. de Santos-Giant) at last July’s Tour of Rio tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol.

Meanwhile samples obtained at September’s Volta Ciclistica Do Sao Paulo from the Chilean rider Manuel Villalobos (Clube Dataro De Ciclismo/Foz Do Iguaçu) and another Brazilian, Wagner Alves (Clube De Ciclismo São José Dos), tested positive for the same substance.

That latter race also resulted in a positive test from a fourth Brazilian, Elton Silva (São Lucas Saúde/Giant/Uac/Americana), for cardiac stimulant mephentermine and phentermine, an appetite suppressant with similar properties to amphetamines.

Finally, Peruvian cyclist Ronald Luza (AMC Viacha) and the Bolivian Fernando Espindola (Glas Casa Real Tarija) both returned positive samples during November’s Vuelta a Bolivia, their urine containing traces of substances including cocaine, 19-norandrosterone (a metabolite of the anabolic steroid nandrolone) and Boldenone, an anabolic steroid usually used by vets to treat horses.

Each cyclist now faces a hearing by their respective national federations to determine whether they have committed a violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules. They each have the right, as permitted in such cases, to request analysis of their B sample.