Two South African mountain bikers are out of the Absa Cape Epic after failing anti-doping tests.
One of the riders has been provisionally suspended by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) and in the meantime is not eligible to take part in any races sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) – including the Cape Epic.
His case is currently being reviewed by SAIDS.
SAIDS confirmed this week that the second rider was given a three-month suspension for what Cycling South Africa described last year as an “adverse analytical finding in an in-competition test” in May, 2013.
SAIDS has not yet released the names of the riders, but neither of them are professionals.
Last year the Cape Epic became the first race in world cycling to apply a “zero tolerance” approach to doping by imposing a life ban on any rider found guilty of illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs. The ban applies to riders who have been sanctioned for an offence taking place after January 1, 2013.
Both riders have been notified by the Cape Epic that they will not be allowed to take up their 2014 Cape Epic entries.
To view more information on the Absa Cape Epic event, click here.
