Back
9 May 2025
The CAS confirmed that the athlete committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for use and possession of a prohibited substance (Menotropin)¹, concomitantly with the 2022 Giro d’Italia and upheld the 4-year suspension imposed on him by the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal (25 July 2023 – 24 July 2027).
As a reminder, the disciplinary proceeding was initiated following an investigation conducted by the ITA based on evidence obtained from the Spanish Guardia Civil and the Spanish Anti-Doping Organisation (CELAD) in the so-called Operation “Ilex” concerning Dr Marcos Maynar.
The UCI and the ITA welcome this ruling, which reflects their commitment to protecting the integrity of cycling. The CAS award will be published in due time on the UCI website, a press release was published on 7 May.
The ITA will not comment further on the matter.
Since January 2021, the UCI has delegated the majority of its anti-doping program to the ITA for independent expert management. This delegation includes all areas from risk assessment, testing, athlete biological passport, therapeutic use exemption, intelligence and investigations and initial review of potential anti-doping rule violations. Results management and prosecution of anti-doping rule violations are handled by the Legal Anti-Doping Services of the UCI.
¹Menotropin is a Prohibited Substance under class S2.2 [Peptide Hormones and their releasing factors] of the Prohibited List which is maintained by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and adopted by the UCI.
