Colombian Nairo Quintana on Wednesday denied taking banned pain medicinal drug after he changed into retrospectively disqualified from this year’s Tour de France over a nice tramadol take a look at result.
Former two-time runner-up Quintana, 32, completed sixth usual in the race that ended on July 24.
The pain medicinal drug has been on a listing of International Cycling Union (UCI) prohibited materials due to the fact that 2019.
“I understand not anything about the usage of this substance and deny ever having used it in my profession,” Quintana, who is due to take part inside the Vuelta a Espana beginning on Friday within the Netherlands, said in a assertion published to Twitter.
“With my team of attorneys we’re onerous all avenues to mount my defence.”
Tramadol is best banned in opposition and while Quintana has been disqualified from the Tour after testing advantageous for the substance on both July eight and thirteen, he’s going to not be banned from destiny races.
The UCI stated Quintana “has been sanctioned for an infringement of the in-competition ban on using tramadol… With the aim of protecting the safety and fitness of riders in mild of the facet-outcomes of this substance”.
The governing frame added that “the analyses of dried blood samples… Discovered the presence of tramadol and its fundamental metabolites”.
Quintana has 10 days to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the UCI stated.
“As this is a first offence, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas is not declared ineligible and can consequently take part in competitions,” it delivered.
Quintana’s Arkea-Samsic group stated they had been privy to the selection but could “make no similarly comment”.
The group did no longer say whether Quintana could still take part in the Vuelta however the Grand Tour’s race director, Javier Guillen advised Spanish information agency EFE that he “can begin the race, according to the guidelines”.
“The rider and the team will determine what they’re going to do,” added Guillen.
On Tuesday, the Breton outfit announced Quintana had signed a contract extension until 2025.
Quintana changed into the first Colombian to win a Grand Tour whilst he claimed Giro d’Italia glory in 2014 earlier than adding a Vuelta triumph years later.The BILLS are getting lots of Super Bowl love for right reason — or, higher yet, one cause particularly. His name is Josh Allen, and he is no longer a ways off Patrick Mahomes in phrases of total-bundle play-making. Coordinator Brian Daboll’s departure looms, but you cannot teach Allen’s length, rocket arm and bulldozing legs. The QB’s top receiving duo of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, already one of the NFL’s fine, allows the motive. As does instruct Sean McDermott’s loaded protection, which has distinction-makers at every stage: Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer at the again cease, Tre’Davious White outdoor, and now Von Miller off the edge.
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