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20 March 2026
The ITA reports that a sample collected during an intelligence-led testing mission conducted by the ITA during the 2026 UAE Tour Women on 5 February 2026 from Linda Laporta, a cyclist from Italy, has returned an AAF¹ for the enobosarm (ostarine).
The substance is listed under class S1.2 Other Anabolic Agents according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. It is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is classified as non-specified substance. Ostarine has been shown to increase lean body mass and promote muscle growth.
In line with the applicable regulations, the rider has been informed of the case and has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. In line with the applicable regulations, the rider will have the opportunity to present her explanations for the result.
Further, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and Article 7.4.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed on the rider. In line with the applicable regulations, the rider has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for its lifting.
Pursuant to the UCI’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments made.
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.
