Cyclists doping with EPO, CERA in Costa Rica: The UCI dope testers received information that doping among a group of riders was rife. And when they moved in to take samples in a targeted operation, no fewer than 12 riders were caught on CERA and EPO. Above, race winner Juan Carlos Rojas Villalegas was among those caught.
Cyclists doping with EPO, CERA in Costa Rica
A race in Costa Rica that was targeted for drug testing based on confidential information saw 12 riders return adverse test results for CERA and EPO.
Intelligence was received by the anti-doping authorities that riders on the Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Costa Rica were doped.
And when testers moved in and carried out a targeted series of tests on December 22nd last 12 riders were found to have questions to answer.
Those who have now been provisionally suspended include the race winner and the Costa Rican national champion.
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Juan Carlos Rojas Villalegas and brother Cesar Andres were among no fewer than five members of the Extralum-Frijoles Tiernitico to return adverse samples.
The others were Jewinson Leandro Varela Zuniga (22) and U23 Pan America TT champion Jose Alexis Rodriquez Villalobos (21).
That foursome were on the winning team in December; Juan Carlos Rojas Villalegas claiming the overall win to add to the four previous titles he had taken in the past.
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The other brother was 3rd overall in December and Varela Zuniga was 5th – making that three riders from the same team in the top five.
The four team mates returned adverse findings in which CERA, a third generation EPO product, was found.
A total of seven other riders also returned adverse samples containing the signs of the same drugs.
They included Vladimir Fernandez Torres (Scott TeleUno) who was 5th overall and won a stage as well as one time race leader Melvin Mora Garita (28) Kevin Murillo Solano, both riding for Corella.
Costa Rican national road race champion Gabriel Eduardo Marin Sanchez also returned an adverse sample for CERA as did Jason Huertas Araya (Lizarte), Jose Irias (Nestle Giant) and Jordy Sandoval.
The final rider of the 12 caught doping in the Vuelta Costa Rica, Jeancarlo Padilla (Scott-Tele Uno) failed a tested for EPO.
The intelligence-led doping controls were planned and carried out by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF).
It is the independent body in charge of defining and implementing the anti-doping strategy in cycling.
It was assisted by the Federacion Costarricense de Ciclismo, the Comisión Nacional Antidopaje de Costa Rica and the Instituto Costarricense del Deporte y la Recreacion.
The riders have been notified of the results of their A sample. They can now request and attend the analysis of the B sample.
They have been provisionally suspended and now face long bans.
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