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Team RadioShacks Li Fuyu tests positive for Clenbuterol

Rider provisionally suspended pending action from Chinese authorities

Chinese rider Li Fuyu of Lance Armstrong’s Team RadioShack has been provisionally suspended by world cycling’s governing body, the UCI, after it was revealed that he had tested positive for the anabolic agent Clenbuterol during the Dwars Door Vlaanderen race on 23 March.

Under UCI rules, the Chinese Cycling Federation must now convene to decide whether the cyclist, who retains the right to demand a B sample, has breached article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping rules.

Clenbuterol can help increase aerobic capacity and is often used to treat people with breathing disorders such as asthma.

Reuters reported earlier today that Chinese officials were still awaiting formal confirmation of the failed test from the UCI, but were prepared to impose the relevant sanctions should it be confirmed, with a spokesman for the Chinese Cycling Association telling the news agency: "We have not got the formal notification from the UCI. If the violation is confirmed, we will hand out a punishment according to relevant regulations."

A statement from Team RadioShack, quoted in the Guardian, said: "Li has been immediately suspended pending the outcome of his B-sample test in the next few weeks. If that test is positive the rider will be removed from the team.”

It added: "Team RadioShack and its management take this incident very seriously. We will respect the rights of our rider but will enforce our zero-tolerance policy should his B-sample test positive."

Li, who turns 32 next month, was the first Chinese rider to break into top-flight professional cycling. He began his professional career with the China-based UCI Continental Trek-Marco Polo Cycling Team in 2005. In 2007, he Johan Bruyneel signed him for the Discovery Channel Team and when that disbanded the following year, Li returned to Marco Polo, before rejoining Bruyneel at the end of last season following the creation of Team RadioShack.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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8 comments

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Zaskar | 14 years ago
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Well you can get it if you have had a bad lung infection and need an aid to breathe.

But he should have disclosed it and not taken part in races which I assume he did?

Was the test random-i.e. did they visit him randomly?

I don't agree with drugs unless you have man flu but if he was going to treat then why didn't he just take a drug not recognised by the UCI (-there are quite a few)
instead of something so common?

Obviously we don't know the true facts. Other than suspension which is correct until he is cleared as he should not race with it in his system.

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the-daily-ripper | 14 years ago
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where can i get some?

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Alankk | 14 years ago
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oh please let the B sample be negative >__<'

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shrinkinbggaz replied to Alankk | 14 years ago
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Alankk wrote:

oh please let the B sample be negative >__<'

AGREED !!!!

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jezzzer | 14 years ago
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you need a new picture for all the drug stories!

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Tony Farrelly replied to jezzzer | 14 years ago
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jezzzer wrote:

you need a new picture for all the drug stories!

What a syringe from a different angle?  39

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cat1commuter | 14 years ago
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Is it true that Bruyneel has never had a cyclist on his team test positive before?

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shrinkinbggaz replied to cat1commuter | 14 years ago
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I do believe so yes.

Not good for Armstong or The Shack considering how close to Le Tour we are now, what get me is that Clenbuterol is so old skool now, Im shocked anyone would ever go anywhere near it these days, crazy !!

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