The International Cycling Union (UCI) has declared that the 2013 Vuelta a España was free of any positive dope tests, according to its own Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF). In all, 598 blood and urine samples were taken, 200 beforehand, and 398 during the three-week race, with none returning an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF).
The news comes as race winner Chris Horner (RadioShack-Leopard) is still searching for a team to ride for in 2014. The 42-year-old broke a series of age-related records during the race; first becoming the oldest rider to take a Grand Tour stage victory, then the oldest to wear the leader’s jersey of a three-week race. Completing the race on September 15th saw Horner become the oldest rider ever to finish a Grand Tour, while his victory made him the oldest winner of one by more than five years.
Horner’s performance raised several eyebrows, both during and after the race, with many questioning how a rider of his age could compete over three-weeks; particularly after having missed the better part of the season through injury. The American released the figures from his biological passport in October, hoping to silence his doubters, but this led some anti-doping experts - particularly UCI anti-doping panel member Robin Parisotto - to raise further doubts.
The news from the UCI today at least confirms that the numerous samples that Horner provided during the race - both as a double stage winner and as race leader for a number of days - were clear enough to pass all of the tests performed on them.