Alexandr Kolobnev out of 2011 Tour De France after being tested positive for dope test
2011 Tour de France has been hit by its first doping scandal as Alexandr
Kolobnev, the 30-year-old Russian cyclist, rocked the mega event after being tested positive for a dope test on July 12. The sample was taken after the sixth stage on July 6.
Traces of banned substance, Hydrochlorothiazide, were found in the urine of the cyclist, as per the official statement. The drug is considered illegal and is prohibited in the tournament.
Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. It also helps in eliminating excess fluids from the body and minimises the amount of urine produced.
Kolobnev, who has been tested positive for the drug, was in 69th place in Tour De France. This news has also been confirmed by UCI, governing body for the sports, who has also mentioned that a positive A sample does not disqualifies the cyclist
from the race.
UCI said in a statement, “However the UCI is confident that his team will take the necessary steps to enable the Tour de France to continue in serenity and to ensure that their rider has the opportunity to properly prepare his defence in particular within
the legal timeline, which allows four days for him to have his B sample analysed”
The 30-year-old is the first cyclist in this tour who has failed a doping test. Kolobnev has denied the tests' result as he said, “I do not know where it comes from.”
His Katusha team has withdrawn him from the race and claims that Kolobnev’s future with Katusha depends on his second sample from Wednesday. He will be dismissed and will be fined five times his salary if the test turns out to be positive.
Director of Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, said that it was a clear evidence of anti-doping agencies working efficiently. He said, “Fighting against doping is extremely complicated but it is much easier when it is done together. Here is a good example
of the anti-doping authorities working together. The UCI and the AFLD are working hand in hand”
This however, is not the first time that Tour de France has been hit by such scandals. Previously, the three-time Tour de France Champion, Alberto Contador, is still waiting for the final results.
In this event, Kolobnev is 22 minutes and 15 seconds behind the race leader, Thomas Voeckler, and positioned at the 69th spot as the race reached its tenth stage. He has won silver medals in World Championship in 2007 and 2009 and a bronze medal in 2008
Olympics.
It will be interesting to see what results come from the sample, which will be taken today and decide the fate of Kolobnev.
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