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25 September 2026
As previously announced, the rider provided a sample under the Testing Authority and Results Management Authority of the UCI during an unannounced out-of-competition doping control on 28 December 2025. This doping control returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF)¹ for boldenone and its metabolite.
Boldenone is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is classified as a non-specified substance and is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). Boldenone was originally developed for veterinary use and is a bulking agent which stimulates muscle growth and assists the recovery after strenuous effort.
Over the course of the results management proceedings, the rider was able to establish that the presence of boldenone in his sample resulted from the consumption of meat contaminated with boldenone while he was in Colombia.
The rider was also able to establish that he bore No Fault or Negligence² for the anti-doping rule violation, and, therefore, no period of ineligibility was imposed³ and the rider is free to compete effective immediately. As the sample was collected out-of-competition, there are no competitive results to disqualify.
The rider accepted the finding of an anti-doping rule violation⁴ and the matter is considered as resolved from the perspective of the UCI/ITA. Pursuant to the public disclosure requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI anti-doping rules, the case must be publicly reported.
The decision may be challenged before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration of Sport by the parties with a right of appeal, in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the UCI anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ A report from a WADA-accredited laboratory that, consistent with the International Standard for Laboratories, establishes in a sample the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers or evidence of the use of a prohibited method.
² ‘No Fault or Negligence’ is defined as “The Athlete or other Person’s establishing that he or she did not know or suspect, and could not reasonably have known or suspected even with the exercise of utmost caution, that he or she had Used or been administered the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method or otherwise violated an anti-doping rule”.
³ The default period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation for the presence of a non-specified prohibited substance such as boldenone is four years, unless the rider establishes that his anti-doping rule violation is not intentional. If an athlete succeeds in proving lack of intent, the starting point of the period of ineligibility is two years. The period of ineligibility may then be subject to further potential mitigation if an athlete establishes, for instance, ‘No Fault or Negligence’.
⁴ Riders have the right to choose not to have their case referred to a hearing panel. In these instances, the anti-doping organisation will assess the rider’s case file and establish the applicable consequences pursuant to the anti-doping rules and the rider will have the right to accept the proposed consequences. If the rider refuses the proposed consequences, the case is transferred to a hearing panel. This resolution mechanism is provided for in articles 8.2.1. of the UCI anti-doping rules and 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code and is commonly referred to as an agreement on consequences and is deemed UCI/ITA decision.
