Oscar Sevilla’s fate to be decided on March 21, 2012
Oscar Sevilla was banned from professional cycling after being tested positive for hydroxyethyl starch at the Vuelta a Colombia on August 15, 2010.
Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) banned the cyclist for a period of six months after a long 13 month investigation.
He was initially banned from the sport in September, 2010, but was later allowed to race after a period of one month.
RFEC explained, "In the analysis of the case, the resolution acknowledges that [the positive test] was involuntary, due to emergency medical treatment, and the substance Hydroxyethyl Starch did not increase athletic performance by Oscar Sevilla".
"Once he completes the penalty, we will bring him back to the elite team's roster for the 2012 cycling season," it concluded.
Sevilla has appeared at a number of races including the Tour of Utah, the Vuelta a Colombia and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado since then.
However, UCI appealed against the RFEC decision to extend the ban from six months to two years and the final hearing is now expected on March 21, 2012.
Ezequiel Mosquera and his teammate, David Garcia, was also tested positive for hydroxyethyl starch in 2010 and the duo received a two-year suspension.
Oscar started his professional pursuit with Team Kelme-Costa Blanca in 1998 and rode with the team until 2003.
The cyclist also represented Team Phonak (2004), T-Mobile Team (2005-2006), Team Relax-Gam (2007), Team Rock Racing (2008-2010) and finally penned a deal with Team Gobernación de Antioquía in 2011.
The 35-year-old was sacked by his former side, T-Mobile Team, after his name came up at the Operacion Puerto doping scandal.
Sevilla was investigated initially but his name was released from the case later on without any charges.
Earlier, CAS handed a two-year ban to Alberto Contador after his positive results at the Tour de France 2010.
The Spaniard was also stripped-off from all the victories since the 2010 edition of the French Grand Tour.
Contador was accused of using clenbuterol during the race and both UCI and WADA appealed against the cyclist. The jury was convinced that he cheated during the race and suspended him from the sport.
Court of Arbitration for Sport is taking all the necessary measures to ensure that the sport is freed from all kind of drug abuse.
Only time will tell if the Spanish star survives the proposed two-year ban by CAS, as he gets ready for the hearing scheduled next month.
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