Duane Dickey given a lifetime ban following second infraction, while Andy Crater gets 3 months for THC
In two successive days, September 9th and September 10th, two elite amateur Americans were handed down suspensions for doping infractions by USADA.
Team Aerocat's Andy Crater was sanctioned on Thursday for a positive test for THC following his impressive performance at the Tour of Elk Grove's amateur races on July 31st and August 1st. He won the first day and took second the next.
Marijuana is included on the WADA prohibited list, but it is listed as a specified substance, which means that, "under certain circumstances, [the rider can get] a reduced sanction from the standard two-year period of ineligibility."
For Crater, the ineligibility part will not be too big of a deal. His sentence started on the 7th of September and will run its course on December 7th - the offseason more or less. Unfortunately for Crater, the positive test for marijuana will result in the forfeiture of some significant prizes, as the Asheville, North Carolina resident enjoyed a hot streak through all of August and into September.
The second suspension, which was handed down on the 10th of September was of the lifetime variety and went to Minnesota's Duane Dickey. The 41 year old rider for Mercy/Specialized tested positive for the second time in his career and was thus doled out a lifetime ban.
According to USA Cycling, Dickey was found in violation of USADA's anti-doping rules "based on his use and possession of synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) as well as his refusal to submit to sample collection." Dickey refused a USADA out of competition doping control on the 11th of May.
USA Cycling does not specify when or where the EPO positive came about, but does note that "Dickey is disqualified from all competitive results achieved on and subsequent to April 2, 2007, the date he first committed the anti-doping rule violations."
Nine years ago, Dickey tested positive for a trio of banned substances at the Tour of Guatemala: phentermine, boldenone, and nandrolone. The first offense netted the rider a one year ban. This second one, however, will result in the end of his career.