Brazilian Professional Continental team to be suspended after third positive inside a year

The UCI has announced that it has notified Colombian rider Ramiro Rincon Diaz and Brazilian rider João Marcelo Pereira Gaspar of a finding of EPO in their samples - leading to Professional Continental Team Funvic Soul Cycles-Carrefour facing suspension.

The samples, taken around the Volta a Portugal Santander Totta on 27 July 2016, were found to contain Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA).

The riders have the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample. In accordance with UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the riders have been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the respective affair.

These constitute second and third Adverse Analytical Findings for members of the UCI Professional Continental Team Funvic Soul Cycles-Carrefour within a twelve-month period.

This allows, undere UCI Anti-Doping Rules, for the suspension of the Team from 15 days to 12 months.

The UCI will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Commission which will render a decision in due course.

Until that time, the UCI declined to comment further.