Colombian cyclist has been disqualified from the French Tour after traces of tramadol appeared in blood samples taken
Very hard setback for Nairo Quintana. The Arkéa rider has been disqualified from the last edition of the Tour de France, in which he finished in sixth place, after traces of tramadol, a banned substance, turned up at one of the anti-doping controls to which the Colombian was subjected.
“Analysis of two dried blood samples provided by the cyclist on July 8 and 13 during the 2022 Tour de France revealed the presence of tramadol and its two main metabolites. In accordance with UCI medical rules, the cyclist is disqualified for the Tour de France 2022. This decision is subject to appeal within the next 10 days to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS),’ the UCI said in a statement.
“During the 2022 Tour de France, a total of 120 dried blood samples were collected as part of the tramadol programme. Violations of the competing ban on the use of tramadol are violations under UCI medical rules. They are not anti-doping rule violations. Because it is a first offense, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas will not be declared unfit and therefore allowed to participate in competitions,” the UCI note added.
The news jumps two days before the start of the Vuelta a España, in which Nairo Quintana was registered as the leader of the Arkéa. The Colombian, winner of the Spanish round in 2016 and the Giro d’Italia in 2014, which had just been renewed with the formation until 2025, aspired to drive a great race with the aim of reaching the podium, but now his team has to decide whether he takes the exit.
Source: La Verdad
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