Xacobeo-Galicia duo test positive for Hydroxyethyl
The International Cycling Union( UCI) has confirmed that Ezequiel Mosquera, runner-up at this year's Vuelta a Espana, tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance during the race.
The body announced that the Spaniard, along with his Xacobeo-Galicia teammate David Garcia da Pena, had tested positive for Hydroxyethyl.
According to the UCI's statement, the 'presence of Hydroxyethyl starch' was detected in the urine samples collected from Mosquera and da Pena at an in-competition test at the Vuelta a España on September 16, three days before the end of the race.
The UCI remains silent on the exact levels it found of the substance, which enhances the body's red blood cells' ability to ability to transport oxygen. The substance can also be used to fluidify the blood, allowing for the use of other drugs to go undetected
in doping tests.
Both Mosquera and da Pena have asked to attend the analysis of their B samples by the Cologne laboratory (the laboratory that carried out the first tests).
“I’m dumbstruck," Xacobeo manager Alvaro Pino told Spanish news agency EFE
after learning of the positive test. "I’ve just been told and I’m surprised because in the team we are sure that this doping case is impossible. I’ve still not spoken with Ezequiel, but I will be trying to do so in the coming hours.”
Mosquera, who has finished in the top-5 at the Vuelta in the last four editions of the race, secured a move to Dutch team Vacansoleil after his performance in the race earlier this month.
The 34-year-old impressed throughout the Vuelta, finishing second overall, third in the mountains and sixth in the points classification, but a cloud has now been cast over his strong performance.
The announcement came only hours after it was revealed that Alberto Contador, winner of this year's Tour de France, tested positive for Clenbuterol on the second rest day of this year's Tour.
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