Mountain biker Margarita Fullana tests positive for EPO

Geelong: Spanish mountain biker Margarita Fullana has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after failing a dope test.

The UCI said in a statement Saturday the decision “was made in response to a report from the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) accredited laboratory in Montreal indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of EPO (erythropoietin) in a urine sample”. The sample was collected in an out of competition test on August 30, 2010. Fullana, a 38-year-old who has been crowned world champion three times, has the right to request and attend the analysis of her B sample.In accordance with UCI rules she will remain provisionally suspended until the Spanish cycling federation convenes a hearing to decide on a suspension. The UCI have announced several adverse findings this week, all of them involving Spanish riders. Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was provisionally suspended after trace elements of clenbuterol were found in a urine sample from this year’s race. Tour of Spain runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera and his teammate David Garcia da Pena were also provisionally suspended following positive tests for hydroxyethyl starch (HES), a blood thinner which can be used to mask the use of blood boosters. Bureau Report