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Tuesday, 31 July 2007 |
Spanish cyclist Iban Mayo banned for doping
Spanish cyclist Iban Mayo has been suspended by his Saunier Duval team after he tested positive during the Tour de France.
Iban Mayo was found to have used the banned blood-boosting drug erythropoietin (EPO) on 24 July, which was the Tour de France's final rest day.
Iban Mayo, 29, is a team-mate of UK cyclist David Millar, who has been an outspoken critic of doping in sport after serving a two-year ban for using EPO as well.
Saunier Duval said in a statement: "The Saunier Duval team were notified by the International Cycling Union (UCI) that Iban Mayo tested positive for EPO following a test on 24 July," and added that they had decided to ban Iban Mayo straight away and would sack him if the B sample also tested positive.
In June, Iban Mayo had been reported to have tested positive for excessive testosterone after a stage win in the Giro d'Italia but he was subsequently cleared by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
President of the UCI Pat McQuaid said that Iban Mayo had been singled out as a potential future doping offender and he explained: "People need to understand, the riders need to understand that that the UCI operates in a different way than in the past,"
"Thanks to the blood tests, we target riders - Iban Mayo was one of the UCI targets."
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Last Updated ( Friday, 03 August 2007 )
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