One week after it was announced that David Garcia and Xacobeo Galicia team-mate Ezequiel Mosquera had failed ‘A’ sample tests for the prohibited substance Hydroxyethyl starch, the UCI has confirmed that Garcia has also failed a test for EPO.
The Spaniard has consequently been suspended and now faces likely sanctioning by the Spanish cycling federation RFEC.
The UCI issued a statement several minutes ago announcing that he had tested positive for a second prohibited substance. “The decision to provisionally suspend this rider was made in response to a report from the WADA accredited laboratory in Madrid indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of EPO in a urine sample collected from him at an in-competition test at the Vuelta a España on 13 September 2010,” it said.
“This Adverse Analytical Finding for EPO follows the Adverse Analytical Finding for Hydroxyethyl Starch in the urine sample collected on September 16th at the same race.”
Garcia will be unable to race unless he is cleared by the RFEC. Hydroxyethyl starch is often used in conjunction with banned blood boosters such as EPO as it can mask the presence of the latter. It effectively dilutes the blood, preventing tell-tale signs which would otherwise show up in tests.
Garcia’s B sample from September 13th will now be tested for EPO. His September 16th B sample is also due to be examined for Hydroxyethyl starch; if either come back positive, he’s likely to face a lengthy ban.
Garcia took one of the best results of his career last month when he finished 11th overall in the Vuelta.
The UCI has been unable to confirm to VeloNation when Mosquera’s B sample will be examined for Hydroxyehyl starch. He finished as runner-up in the Spanish tour, but is able to keep racing for now under WADA rules. Unlike many other products, the substance in question can only lead to a suspension from racing if the B sample is also positive.