BMC Racing Team rider Samuel Sánchez has tested positive for GHRP-2 in an out-of-competition anti-doping control. The news was announced just two days before Sánchez was due to line up at the Vuelta a España.
GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2) is a growth hormone secretagogue of the hexapeptide class and was also the substance which the Bardiani CSF riders’ Nicola Ruffoni and Stefano Pirazzi tested positive for on the eve of the Giro d’Italia.
“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that Spanish rider Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez was notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) of GHRP-2* in a sample collected in the scope of out-of-competition control on 9 August 2017,” the UCI announced in a statement.
“The doping control was planned and carried out by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF), the independent body mandated by the UCI, in charge of defining and implementing the anti-doping strategy in cycling. The rider has the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample.
“In accordance with UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the rider has been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the affair.”
BMC Racing Team also released a statement which read:
“BMC Racing Team was notified on Thursday, 17 August by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) of a potential anti-doping violation for the presence of GHRP-2 and its metabolite, in an out-of-race anti-doping control for Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez.”
“In accordance with BMC Racing Team’s zero tolerance policy and UCI regulation, Sánchez has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. Until the results of the B sample are provided, no further action will be taken.
“All riders and staff are held to the highest ethical standard and BMC Racing Team is extremely disappointed to share this news on the eve of the Vuelta a España. Loïc Vliegen will replace Sánchez at the Vuelta a España.”
Won the Olympics at 52%. still at it. OUT
FF’s ☠️
Stupid bugger.