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AG2R's Steve Houanard provisionally suspended after testing positive for EPO

26-year-old has right to request test of B sample, team manager Lavenu expresses shock and anger

The UCI has revealed that AG2R-La Mondiale rider Steve Houanard has been provisionally suspended following an adverse analytical finding for EPO.

The banned substance was found in a urine sample taken from the 26-year-old in an out of competition test on 21 September 2012 which was analysed at a World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratory in Barcelona.

Houanard, who turned professional with Skil-Shimano in 2009 and joined his current team at the start of the 2011 season, riding that year's Vuelta, has the right to request and attend an analysis test of his B sample.

The UCI added: “The provisional suspension of Mr Houanard remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the French Cycling Federation determines whether he has committed an anti-doping rule violation under article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.”

In a statement published in English on its website this evening, AG2R-La Mondiale said: “We heard at 6:20 p.m. by an official announcement of the International Cycling Union that Steve Houanard has been tested positive for EPO on September 21st.

“We are obviously extremely shocked by this news. Therefore, we decided to immediately to push him aside from competition and we lay him off as a precautionary measure until the French National Federation opens disciplinary proceedings.”

The team’s general manager,

Vincent Lavenu, added: "It is with sadness that I heard this unfortunate news. Above all, I’m driven this evening by a strong feeling of anger because of important damages for the team and our sponsors.

“I want to reiterate our commitment to the biological passport and to the values upheld by the International Cycling Union. We have full confidence in the competent authorities in their fight against doping.”
 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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6 comments

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Gkam84 | 12 years ago
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Well done Sam1, you picked out one sprinter......

I never said exclusively for climbers and GC guys. Just more associated with them

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antonio | 12 years ago
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Good timing for UCI, now able to make a strong anti drug stance by hanging their hat on a no hoper.

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road slapper | 12 years ago
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I know why they do it but why do they still insist on doping when there is a very good chance that they are going to get caught.  30

Gutted for cycling once again. Maybe one day it will be a clean sport .....

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Gkam84 | 12 years ago
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He's a sprinter who hasn't really broken through yet. His only appearance being at GP Quebec, where he finished 22nd.

Strange that a sprinter is caught though. Doping is normally associated with climbers/GC guys  39

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Sam1 replied to Gkam84 | 12 years ago
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Gkam84 wrote:

He's a sprinter who hasn't really broken through yet. His only appearance being at GP Quebec, where he finished 22nd.

Strange that a sprinter is caught though. Doping is normally associated with climbers/GC guys  39

Galimzyanov=sprinter. Not just climbers or GC guys clearly.

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JohnS | 12 years ago
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Steve who?

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