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Michael Rogers tests positive for clenbuterol

December 19, 2013
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On Wednesday, the UCI announced that three-time world time trial champion Michael Rogers had tested positive for clenbuterol. The test was taken after he won the Japan Cup on Oct. 20. According to a report by Eurosport, the 33-year-old Saxo-Tinkoff rider has denied any wrong doing, citing bad food as the cause of his positive test.

The Japan Cup was Roger’s only win of the 2013 season. As a result of this latest finding, Rogers has been provisionally suspended. He has the right to request the testing of his B-sample as well.

Micheal Rogers is well known for his solid performances as a three-week racer. He played a pivotal role in Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France victory as a member of Team Sky in 2012. Under somewhat mysterious circumstances at the very end of 2012, Rogers transferred to Saxo-Tinkoff for the 2013 season. Although it was never stated by Rogers or Team Sky, many speculated that Roger’s departure was related to Team Sky’s strict anti-doping policy that explicitly disallowed riders who were involved in doping in the past.

At this stage, it is unclear what penalty Rogers will face. The UCI also announced that 22-year-old Belgian rider Jonathon Breyne of Crelan-Euphony also tested positive for clenbuterol on Nov. 5 during the Tour of Taihu Lake.

The two positive tests for the same and somewhat obscure substance in a relatively short period of time is strange. Roger’s teammate, Alberto Contador, also tested positive for clenbuterol in the 2010 Tour de France. At this point, both Rogers and Breyne have been provisionally suspended until a full investigation is complete.

 

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