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British Cyclist Dan Staite gets two-year ban for positive EPO test

two banned substances in urine test, refuses to cooperate with blood test

British cyclist Dan Staite has been banned from competitive cycling for two years after testing positive for EPO and a second banned substance. Staite, who raced for Cycles Dauphin at the start of the year, was tested after the Roy Thame cup, a B level national event, on 13 March and his urine sample was found to contain traces of EPO and 19-androsta-1,4,6-triene-3,17-dione, an aromatase inhibitor that can be used to minimise the side-effects of steroid use.

Staite competed mostly at National B level, although he was elegible for, and raced occasionally, at National A events as well. After the positive urine test UK Anti-Doping representatives sought to obtain a blood sample from Staite but he refused, citing a heavy cold as the reason. The UKAD representatives remained at his house for an hour and the nine-page ruling on Staite's case concludes that "it is clear that Mr Staite was being deliberately obstructive in refusing to provide a blood sample".

In a later email response to Graham Arthur of UKAD, Staite simply stated that "I have nothing more to add to the case and wish to not be contacted concerning this issue in the future". The hearing was held at the end of June in Staite's absence. Despite his failure to co-operate, and the presence of two banned substances in his test sample, Staite was not found to have aggravated the circumstances of his positive test and a two-year ban has been imposed, to run from the time of his first suspension from competition, 1 May 2010, to 1 May 2012.

Rumours of the positive test have been around for a long time. When we contacted British Cycling at the time of the suspension they weren't able to confirm that it was due to a positive EPO test, presumably due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. Bob Howden, chair of British Cycling's anti-doping commission, said in a press release today: "We are naturally disappointed that a cyclist has been found guilty of doping, however, this case shows that the comprehensive testing programme which operates at all levels of the sport is delivering results.

"We have a no tolerance policy towards doping and we are committed to working close with UK Anti-Doping to eradicate the use of performance-enhancing substances from our sport. Mr Staite's example is a warning to all athletes, both amateur and professional, that cheats will be caught and that cycling must be and must be seen to be a drug-free sport."

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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skippy | 13 years ago
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ANOTHER PRAT who deserves 4 years, in fact as a vet time at home with a Tag !

Riding the routes of the TDF i noticed there are more drivers flashing indicators as they pass cyclists this year. About 3/4 of french now indicate but guess who can't exercise their fingers?

You got it, always the english number plate! Notice how when you feel the brush as a vehicle passes how they continue on a course towards the middle of the road before resuming their usual width from the kerb? Is this demonstrating their lack of control or ignorance of the fact that if they hit you in their demonstration of stupidity that there is a chance they can see the inside of a cell for a period ? Well the french lock you up when there is a question even if the Brits slap you on the wrist and politely ask you to be more careful !

Out and about for a few hours today which found me heading towards Northwich and came across a new piece of roadworks by a Business park, there was a little bit of cycle path there , was this the subject of the article some time ago?

North of Warrington i had to wait at lights and all ther traffic that i had passed caught up with me , when the lights changed i took off but one of the SSS brigade as he turned left shouted "tosser". Of course he was disappointed to see me ride away before he had the chance to turn left through me, hope this did not spoil his day!

Riding in sunny Oxon earlier in the week i realised how different the drivers are and today i was reminded again near Lynne when a white ford carrying 3 SSS came up behind slowed then as a council truck was coming towards them on the narrow road decided to overtake slowly so that they were level with me as the truck honking and lights flashing passed in the other direction, what the driver was about beats me but "Sad Sack of Shit" was lucky not to lose the wing mirror amongst other parts of his car if he had tried coming closer ! Headlines would have been "Cyclist found sitting in passenger seat of ford teaching road manners"!

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simonmb | 13 years ago
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Viagra possibly, don't you think Old Cranky?

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Old Cranky | 13 years ago
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Isn't Staite in his 40's?

Why would anyone take performance enhancing drugs to compete at Vets level?

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