Top South African mountain-biker Max Knox has been banned for four years for a doping offense, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) announced today.
Knox was charged for suspicious variations in his Athlete Biological Passport (APB), which indicated doping, SAIDS revealed in a statement.
Top South African mountain-biker Max Knox (pictured) has been banned for four years for a doping offense, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) announced today. Photo: Shaun Roy/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
He then reportedly could not satisfactorily explain to a panel of international experts the reasons for the variation. His APB was monitored between February 2013 and June 2017 and his irregularities included an artificially increased haemoglobin concentration and bone marrow stimulation followed by immediate bone marrow suppression.
Knox’s APB was subsequently reviewed in conjunction with his competition schedules, race results and intelligence supplied to SAIDS, the statement said. The cyclist’s explanations and supporting documents were rejected by the panel as no explanations pertaining to the APB irregularities were provided.
“Mr. Knox lodged an appeal against the initial decision, but failed to file any documentation for his appeal within the prescribed filing period,” the statement said.
Knox was one of three mountain-bikers to receive bans over the last 18 months and SAIDS chief executive officer Khalid Galant had spoken just over a month ago about how the organisation would be strengthening their investigative arm to tackle cases of doping.
Knox won the National MTB Series in 2012, 2015, as well as in 2016, the latter of which he claimed four series wins in succession. He was also crowned the SA national marathon champion in both 2012 and 2016.
He showed great prowess in last year’s Cape Epic, having been the first South African to finish the race, placing fourth overall alongside Colombian partner Leo Paez.
