Samuel Sanchez out of Vuelta a Espana after failing drugs test
By Richard Cooke
Last Updated: 27/08/17 2:41pm
Former Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a growth hormone.
The 39-year-old Spaniard, who won gold in Beijing in 2008, was due to ride for BMC Racing at the Vuelta a Espana which starts on Saturday.
But he has been suspended by his team with immediate effect and replaced for this weekend's event by Loic Vligen.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said Sanchez had returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) of GHRP-2 in an out-of-competition test on August 9. It confirmed the rider had the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample.
Growth hormone has been shown to reduce fat, increase lean body mass and improve aerobic performance.
A statement from the Swiss-American team read: "In accordance with BMC Racing Team's zero tolerance policy and UCI regulation, Sanchez has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect.
"Until the results of the B sample are provided, no further action will be taken.
"All riders and staff are held to the highest ethical standard and BMC Racing Team is extremely disappointed to share this news on the eve of the Vuelta a Espana."
Sanchez was second at the 2010 Tour de France, behind Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, and has won stages at the Tour and the Vuelta a Espana.
