Astarloza banned for doping offence, says will appeal

[~IronMan~]

Sat, May 15 11:09 PM

Enlarge PhotoEuskaltel-Euskadi cyclist Mikel Astarloza of Spain in San Sebastian August 4, 2009. Mikel Astarloza has... Mikel Astarloza has been suspended for two years following a positive test for the banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO), the Spanish rider said on Saturday.

"I want to publicly announce that I have received a letter from the RFEC (Spanish federation) notifying me that I am officially suspended until June 26, 2011 for having broken International Cycling Union (UCI) rules," he said on his website (www.astarloza.com).

"I maintain that I have done nothing wrong... I will appeal this suspension to the relevant authorities," he added without elaborating further.

Euskaltel-Euskadi rider Astarloza tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO in an out-of-competition test collected last June and was provisionally suspended on July 31.

He won the 16th stage of last year's Tour de France, finishing 11th overall.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Alison Wildey; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)





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