12 Costa Ricans including race winner test positive at the Vuelta a Costa Rica
Riders caught with CERA and EPO in intelligence led anti-doping operation
The Vuelta a Costa Rica was the last stage race on the UCI America calendar in 2017 running for 10 stags over Christmas. The UCI announced on Wednesday that intelligence-led doping controls at the race led to 12 riders failing doping controls.
The UCI announced that 12 Costa Rican riders returned adverse analytical findings in tests collected on Dec. 22 the day of the races individual time trial.
The stage was won by Juan Carlos Rojas Villalegas who would go on the take the race overall. He was amoung the 12 riders to test positive for continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA). His brother Cesar Andres Rojas Villegas finished third overall and also tested positive.
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 also returned positive tests for CERA. Jeancarlo Padilla tested positive for EPO.
The Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation authorities were tipped off of possible doping violations leading to the targetted doping controls that caught the rampant use of illegal substances at the stage race. CADF is an independent body which conducted the controls with the assistance of the Costa Rican cycling federation, the Costa Rican’s anti-doping body and the institute of sport and recreation in the Central American country
All the riders have been provisionally suspended but still have the opportunity to request an analysis of their B samples as per UCI policy.
At August’s Vuelta a Colombia, a similar intelligence-led operation caught eight Colombian riders for anti-doping violations include the U23 Colombia national champion.
