A hard reverse for Argentine cycling

Today, six Argentine cyclists have been accused of doping by the UCI (International Cycling Union) after the positive results in the tests which had been done on January and February, when the accused men were competing in the competitions ‘’Vuelta a San Juan’’ and ‘’Doble Bragado’’.

The UCI communicated to the media that Gonzalo Najar and Gastón Emiliano Javier gave positive results, three cyclists gave ‘’no-negative results’’ and another refused to do the test. The first of them tested positive for CERA (Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator), that had been used by others known athletes to improve their performance. Here you can see some of them:

The rider was surprised in a sample collected the first day of the race, when later, casually, he won the queen stage by nearly two minuts between the second rider and him. Also, his teammate Gastón has been suspended for a doping with Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. 

Both riders are now suspended, and their team, SEP de San Juan, is waiting for a decision from the UCI, that could decide the suspension from 15 to 45 days, as the Article 7.12.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules says.

Article 7.12.1 UCI Anti-Doping Rules

Do you think that this is a hard reverse for Argentine cycling? Do you agree with the possible suspension?

Thanks for reading us,

Sergio Torreblanca.

Bibliography:

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/uci-confirms-vuelta-san-juan-winner-gonzalo-najars-positive-test-cera-378965

https://www.infobae.com/deportes-2/2018/05/08/se-confirmaron-seis-casos-de-doping-en-el-ciclismo-argentino/

https://www.clarin.com/deportes/polideportivo/noticia-durisima-ciclismo-argentino_0_SJzWBpa6z.html

https://tn.com.ar/sociedad/ciclismo-argentino-se-confirmaron-seis-casos-de-doping-en-deportistas-nacionales_867515

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_erythropoietin_receptor_activator
http://www.uci.ch

Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins under suspicion - It is doping or not?

Some weeks ago, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee make public a report declaring that Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins would have used drugs allowed under anti-doping rules to enhance performance instead of just for medical need.

Concretaly, the report accuse Team Sky of had used the anty-inflammatory drug triamcionolone to prepare Bradley Wiggins for the 2012 Tour de France, that as all know, the britanian cyclist finally won.

Triamcionolone is a substance banned during competition under WADA rules, unless the athlete has a therapeutic use exemption (TUE),  but is permitted out of competition. 

According to the report, Bradley Wiggins would have taken this drug, the final day at 2011 Criterium du Dauphine. If this were true, Wiggins could be banned with two without compete and the loss of results achieved.

Apart from this drug, the report inform about the unclear use of other substances such a testosterone, salbutamol or fluimucil. Many of them drugs are consider as TUEs but Team Sky could have used it for enhance the performance of some his athletes, claiming a "medical use". On his behalf, Team Sky have strongly denied have used TUEs for anything other purpose that medical need.

At the moment, this issue is only a report without a reliable evidence, so that can not lead to any type of sanction, although is expected that UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) open a investigation trying to clarify this matter in the following days.