Nairo Quintana, disqualified from the Tour after testing positive

Just one day after his renewal was announced by the French team Arkéa-Samsic, the cyclist Nairo Quintana (32 years old) was authorized by International Cycling Union (UCI) for recent tramadol abuse Tour de Francea race in which the Colombian finished sixth overall and for which he is now disqualified.

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Banned by the UCI since 2019

Since March 1, 2019, the UCI has banned the use of tramadol in competition in all disciplines and categories to protect the health and safety of cyclists from the side effects of this substance. Samples are collected by the International Testing Agency (ITA) using the Dried Blood Spots (DBS) reference method. Developed by Swiss company DBS Systems, sampling kits are used to perform this minimally invasive test, which involves taking a small amount of blood from the cyclist’s fingertip. The analysis of the samples was carried out independently at the Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of Geneva, using a peer-reviewed method to determine the presence or absence and the amount of tramadol and its two main metabolites. The results will then be sent to the Center for Research and Expertise in Anti-Doping Sciences (RED) at the University of Lausanne for a final independent review. The results are finally sent to the UCI Medical Director, who performs the management results in accordance with the UCI Medical Rules.

In a statement released, the highest international cycling body explained that “Colombian cyclist Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas has been punished for violating the ban on the use of tramadol in competition established in the UCI Medical Regulations with the aim of protecting safety and health. of cyclists, in light of the secondary effects of this substance”, adding, “the tests on two dried blood samples given by the cyclist on July 8 and 13 during Tour de France 2022 revealed the presence of tramadol and its two main metabolites. In accordance with the UCI Medical Rules, the rider is disqualified at Tour de France 2022. This decision can be appealed to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the next 10 days.”

Finally, the UCI points out that “during the 2022 Tour de France, a total of 120 dried blood samples were collected as part of the tramadol program”, and clarified that “violations of the ban on the use of tramadol in competition are violation according to UCI Medical Regulations. They do not constitute anti-doping rule violations. As a first violation, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas can continue to compete”, so that ‘Nairman’ can participate as planned in La Vuelta 2022, which starts this Friday from Utrecht.

So far, neither the runner himself nor his team have spoken about it.