PARIS, 18 Aug 2022:
Nairo Quintana has been disqualified from the Tour de France after testing positive for a banned substance, the international cycling union (UCI) announced yesterday.
“Colombian rider Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas has been sanctioned for an infringement of the in-competition ban on using tramadol,” UCI said in a statement.
Analysis of two blood samples provided by the cyclist on July 8 and 13 during the 2022 Tour de France revealed the presence of tramadol – banned by the UCI since 2019, but not by anti-doping rules.
The 32-year-old can appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport within the next 10 days.
Being his first offence, Quintana is not declared ineligible and therefore can participate in competitions.
Since 1 March 2019, UCI has prohibited the use of tramadol in competition in all disciplines and categories to protect the health and safety of cyclists from the side effects of this substance.
– EFE