Galician rider who tested positive for hydroxyethyl will continue to race until otherwise directed
Vuelta a Espana runner-up, Ezequiel Mosquera, is apparently not too perturbed about his positive test for hydoxyethyl at the recently completed Tour of Spain. The rider, who achieved his greatest results of his career (stage victory and 2nd overall) at the final Grand Tour of the year, is planning on taking part in a number of races before calling his 2010 season complete.
According to the Voz de Galicia, the recent Vacansoleil signee will take part in a criterium in Alcobendas in Sunday, then cross the Atlantic to take part in the former stage race now downgraded to only a criterium, the Vuelta a Chihuahua, and finally, a criterium in Oviedo. Of course, none of these races are in any way major races, or even UCI ranked.
At the moment, Mosquera is still not suspended and is free to race. Mosquera and his current Xacobeo Galicia team are still waiting on the final word from the UCI, but Mosquera is poised to take an unfavorable verdict straight to appeals.
It's doubtful, however, that Mosquera will ever get the chance to try on a Vacansoleil jersey if it comes to that point.
Mosquera's teammate, David Garcia, who also finished top ten at the Vuelta, also tested positive for hydroxyethyl. Soon after, the news came that Garcia also tested positive for EPO.