According to French newspaper L'Equipe this morning, Alexandr Kolobnev’s B sample confirmed the presence of a diuretic hydrochlorothiazide in his body. This is likely to see the Russian fired from team Katusha and handed a ban of two years from the Russian Cycling Federation. Should the outcome be different, the International Cycling Union (UCI) is likely to appeal any decision it disagrees with.
The cycling governing body has since confirmed the news saying “The UCI communicates that the analysis of the sample B of Alexandr Kolobnev’s urine carried out on Tuesday July 19 has confirmed the result of the adverse analytical finding notified by the Anti-doping laboratory of Châtenay-Malabry following the analysis of the A sample.
In accordance with the Anti-doping rules, the UCI will request the Russian Federation to open a disciplinary procedure against the rider.”
Kolobnev tested positive for the banned substance from a random drug test taken after stage five of this years Tour de France. It was revealed on the rest day that he was the first (and only person thus far) from the race to return a positive test. He voluntarily left the race while maintaining his innocence.
Kolobnev tested positive for the banned substance from a random drug test taken after stage five of this years Tour de France. It was revealed on the rest day that he was the first (and only person thus far) from the race to return a positive test. He voluntarily left the race while maintaining his innocence.
In an official statement after the revelation, Kolobnev said, "Yesterday, during the rest day I was reported the laboratories had found a substance, hydrochlorothiazide, which I do not know where its come from.
“Therefore, waiting for more information, I have nothing to say about it for respect to the race organizers and cycling in general.”
Katusha have made all their athletes sign an agreement which states that any rider that tests positive for a banned substance will have to pay five times their annual salary to the team.
The team this year announced the signing of convicted doper Danilo Di Luca who joined their roster after serving a sentence for the use of CERA during the 2009 Giro d’Italia. He returned to the Italian race this year in Katusha colours.