12 Costa Rican riders were nabbed for positive substances as a result for samples collected during the Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Costa Rica, with each of them using either EPO or an EPO-related substance.
“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that 12 riders were notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) in samples collected on 22 December 2017 during the Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Costa Rica”, read a statement from the UCI.
“The riders Juan Carlos Rojas Villalegas, Cesar Andres Rojas Villalegas, Jewinson Leandro Varela Zuniga, Vladimir Fernandez Torres, Jose Alexis Rodriquez Villalobos, Jason Huertas Araya, Jose Irias, Gabriel Eduardo Marin Sanchez, Melvin Mora Garita, Kevin Murillo Solano and Jordy Sandoval were notified of an AAF of CERA*. The rider Jeancarlo Padilla was notified of an AAF of EPO*”.
The riders have the opportunity to request and attend the analysis of the B sample.
In accordance with UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the riders have been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the matter.
In November the Vuelta a Colombia was similarly rocked by the news that eight riders had tested positive.
