July 18/12 10:32 am - Ivailo Gabrovski Suspended for Tour of Turkey Positive

Posted by Editoress on 07/18/12
 

In stage 3 of the Tour of Turkey we saw Bulgarian rider Ivailo Gabrovski, riding for the local Turkish squad Konya Torku Seker Spor - Vivel take a decisive victory on the first mountain top finish in the history of the race, a win that set him up for the overall victory.  Many voiced concerns about the incredible ride by a rider who was not considered a climber, and who had had doping sanctions previously.  Sadly, those concerns have come true, with Gabrovski being found positive for EPO in a doping test on that stage.  If the suspension is upheld, then Alexsandr Dyachenko of Astana Pro Team will take over the top spot.

The UCI statement:

The UCI advised Bulgarian rider Ivailo Gabrovski that he is provisionally suspended. The decision to provisionally suspend this rider was made in response to a report from the WADA accredited laboratory in Athens indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of EPO in a urine sample collected from him in a test during the Tour of Turkey on 24th April 2012.

The provisional suspension of Mr Gabrovski remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the Bulgarian Cycling Federation determines whether he has committed an anti-doping rule violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.

Mr. Gabrovski has the right to request and attend the analysis of his B sample.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time.