This might have been slightly less performance and more recreational usage however is Paolini the first doping casualty?
Astana rider, (the team who had 5 riders fail doping tests last year) Lars Boom ,has failed a health test for low cortisol, which can indicate abuse of cortisone. On it's own not enpough for a ban. Since last year and a long battle with the UCI over it's 2015 license, Astana became a member of the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC) to go the extra mile and demonstrate they are clean. The MPCC are the group that have provided this result for Lars. In compliance with their guidance Lars should stop racing for a minimum of 8 days.
Coincidently on the first day (or Grand Depart) Astana reported thatLars' cortisol levels had returned to normal and it had been due to an asthma inhaler. The MPCC have now suspended Astana from the movement for allowing Lars to race.
Please make your own judgement!
Luca Paolini has tested positive for cocaine following an anti-doping test conducted at the Tour de France. The Italian rider on the Katusha team returned the positive sample on Tuesday. He will not start Saturday’s stage from Rennes to Mûr de Bretagne.
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