Spanish biking has received 2023 off to a decidedly troublesome begin after it was introduced that novice nationwide champion Iñigo González has examined constructive for EPO and tramadol.
González, 23, examined constructive final July after ending third in an novice and U-23 race within the Basque Nation, the Loinatz Prueba de Beasain, and every week after taking the Nationwide Championships novice title in Mallorca.
The Basque rider probably faces a four-year ban for EPO use. Tramadol is just not categorized as a performance-enhancing drug however its in-race use has been banned by the UCI since March 2019 and riders are disqualified, whereas a second offence carries a five-month ban. WADA has introduced that tramadol will turn into a banned substance from 2024.
González took the Spanish novice title by being the best-placed rider from that class within the senior nationwide street race, ending thirteenth. Final 12 months he additionally raced the skilled Volta a Portugal race as a stagiaire with the Angola-registered Continental crew BAI-Sicasal-Petro de Luanda, along with his best-placing 18th on a stage.
Gonzalez’s crew for the remainder of the 2022 season, the CC Padronés-Cortizo membership in Spain, issued an announcement saying that they had been involved with the rider who had confirmed the constructive take a look at.
“He takes full particular person duty and exonerates the membership of what has occurred” the assertion learn.
“As well as, given the rider was not going to proceed in our crew subsequent season [2023], the one motion we will now take is to sentence and refute any unacceptable behaviour.”
“We want to make it clear that we completely reject using banned substances or practices of any variety, supporting whole equality in aggressive circumstances, sporting ethics and goals and the well being of the athlete.”
“We totally help Spain’s anti-doping laws and can present any info wanted to the suitable authorities that’s thought of essential.”