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With another doping positive, future of Katusha team in question

  • Ron 

The UCI announced today that Katusha rider Eduard Vorganov had tested positive for an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) of Meldonium in a sample collected during an out-of-competition control on 14 January 2016. Because this is the second AAF for Katusha in a twelve month period, the team will be referred to the UCI disciplinary commission in the coming days.

Katusha rider Luca Paolini was suspended in July of 2015 after an in competition test found traces of cocaine in his system.

Katusha has already suspended the rider in accordance with the team’s zero tolerance policy. While emphasizing that the team takes “all possible measures” to avoid anti-doping rules violations (take that however you’d like – Ed.), they did not comment further on their own appointment with the disciplinary commission.

Meldonium is classified as a “Hormone and Metabolic Modulators” and was just added to the Prohibited List on 1 January 2016.

Astana, another Russian team, fell into the crosshairs of the UCI last year after the team experienced repeated, seemingly systematic, doping violations.

Katusha’s announcement is as follows:

Team KATUSHA notes that the UCI has started a proceeding against Eduard Vorganov for a violation of the UCI anti-doping rules

We understand that the adverse analytical finding concerns the substance Meldonium (also known as Mildronate) which was placed on the prohibited list only on 1 Jan 2016. Team KATUSHA confirms that this substance has never been used by the Team in any form and was not provided to the rider by the team.

In accordance with Team KATUSHA’s zero tolerance policy, Eduard Vorganov has been suspended from all team activities, effective immediately. In the event that Eduard Vorganov took this product on his own initiative, Team KATUSHA will conduct an investigation as such conduct is in breach of the Team’s strict medical and anti-doping internal rules.*

With that said, Eduard Vorganov awaits the results of his B sample, and Team KATUSHA respects and will adhere to the process of the anti-doping authorities and will not comment further at this time.

Team KATUSHA would like to emphasize that it takes all possible measures in order to avoid anti-doping rule violations within its team and is fully committed to fight doping. Team KATUSHA is obviously extremely disappointed that a situation like this could occur despite these measures.

*No medicine, medical substance and/or natural, nutritional or homeopathic (or equivalent) supplement may be purchased, kept, advised or taken by any Team Member, and no treatment can be carried out other than directed by the Team Doctors, unless otherwise approved by the Head Doctor. (art. 10.B.1, 2016 Team Manual)

Any medicine purchased should be compulsory attested by a regular medical prescription written on the headed paper of the doctor who has prescribed the relevant medication. (art. 10.B.2, 2016 Team Manual)

UCI statement on Eduard Vorganov and UCI WorldTeam Katusha:

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces today that it has notified Russian rider Eduard Vorganov of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) of Meldonium (*) in a sample collected during an out-of-competition control on 14 January 2016.

The rider has the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample.

In accordance with the UCI Anti-Doping Rules (UCI ADR), the rider has been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the affair.

This constitutes the second AAF for a member of the UCI WorldTeam Katusha (**) within a twelve month period. Therefore, as per article 7.12.1 UCI ADR (***), the UCI will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Commission which will render a decision in the coming days.

At this stage of the procedure, the UCI will not comment any further on any of these matters.

(*) Meldonium is classified as S.4.5.3 “Hormone and Metabolic Modulators” and has been added on the Prohibited List on 1 January 2016.

(**) On 10 July 2015, UCI WorldTeam Katusha rider Luca Paolini was notified of an AAF for cocaine in a sample collected during an in-competition control on 7 July 2015. Disciplinary proceedings are ongoing before the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal.

(***) Article 7.12.1 UCI ADR

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