Portuguese rider Andre Cardoso is officially out of Tour de France after failing on drugs test. His team didn’t have any other choice but to suspend Cardoso four days before the starting of Tour de France.
Our statement concerning Andre Cardoso. pic.twitter.com/0IfUG7A1wV
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) June 27, 2017
The International Cycling Union admitted the rider returned an adverse analytical finding from a test conducted back on June 18. He resulted EPO positive, a drug that boosts the production of red blood cells. The cells speed up the delivery of oxygen to muscles.
Eventually, after consuming the drug, the rider becomes faster and more efficient while cycling.
According to an official statement by Trek-Segafredo: “It is with deep disappointment that we have just learned that our rider, Andre Cardoso, has tested positive for a prohibited substance.”
Lost hopes
Cardoso, 32, had been chosen as one of the main riders in the Trek-Segafredo’s nine-men team for Tour de France which starts on Saturday, as the main support rider for Alberto Contador.
Now, Spanish Haimar Zubeldia will take his place in the team.
Cardoso’s career includes seven completed grand tours being a noticeable talent and a strong support system for his team.
The Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF), was the one responsible to manage and carry the testing procedure. It is the one in charge of defining and implementing the anti-doping strategy in cycling.
