November 28/11 15:40 pm - CCES Confirms Agreda Positive for EPO

Posted by Editor on 11/28/11
 

Last month (see October 21/11 22:46 pm - Second Garneau Rider Admits to Doping) Garneau-Club Chaussures rider Miguel Agreda announced that he had used the banned substances EPO (erythropoietin). At that time, neither the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) nor the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) could comment on the matter, since it was still under formal investigation. That investigation has now concluded and the CCES has issued a statement:

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport announced today that cyclist Miguel Agreda has received a two-year sanction for the use of erythropoietin (EPO) and ephedrine. The violation occurred during in-competition doping control during the Quebec Provincial Road Race Championships on August 28, 2011.

Agreda confessed to the use of a banned substance on October 21, 2011 in a personal blog on a popular cycling website. The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport continued to respect the athlete's rights and did not provide comment until the results management process had been concluded. On November 4th, the athlete waived his right to a hearing and accepted the proposed sanction of two years ineligibility from sport. The sanction commenced on October 20, 2011, the date of Agreda's provisional suspension, and concludes on October 20, 2013. This marks the second Quebec cyclist to test positive for EPO this past summer.

EPO is a prohibited substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency 2011 Prohibited List. It is a peptide hormone that is produced naturally by the human body, released from the kidneys and acting on bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell production. An increase in red blood cells improves the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry to the body's muscles. It may also increase the body's capacity to buffer lactic acid.

"This testing was part of a strategic mission based on intelligence gathered in related testing. We continue to use more intelligence data and information to guide our testing in our efforts to protect the vast majority of athletes who choose to compete clean," said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. "We welcome information about doping activities and encourage people to contact us through our confidential communication systems."

The Quebec cycling federation (FQSC) and team sponsor Louis Garneau have stated that they will be attempting to determine the source of the banned substances, working with the police. Canadian Cyclist has learned through sources that athletes involved are unwilling to cooperate, citing fears over personal safety.