Stage 16 winner Mikel Astarloza of Euskaltel Euskadi has tested positive for EPO in an anti-doping control prior to the Tour de France, according to the UCI.

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Here’s the UCI press release …

Press release : Mikel Astarloza provisionally suspended

Date:
31.07.2009

Description: Earlier today, the UCI advised Spanish rider Mikel Astarloza that he has been provisionally suspended. The decision to provisionally suspend Mr Astarloza was made in response to a report from the WADA accredited laboratory in Madrid indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of Recombinant EPO in a urine sample collected from him at an out-of-competition test on 26 June 2009.

The report from the laboratory was received by the UCI yesterday (July 30).

The provisional suspension remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the Spanish Cycling Federation determines whether Mr Astarloza has committed an anti-doping rule violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules. The hearing panel will make a decision on an applicable sanction for Mr Astarloza including his disqualification from any events, in which he competed following the collection of the sample on 26 June.

Mr Astarloza has the right to request and attend the analyses of his B sample.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time.

UCI Press Service

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