With the Tour of South Florida amateur race resuming in full this year after a pandemic pause, anti-doping efforts have resumed as well.

After two amateurs were caught doping at the event in 2020, United States Anti Doing Agency (USADA) announced testing at the 2022 edition revealed 26 year-old Geony Borrego Lee (LC TRI SHOP) tested positive for phentermine, a banned central nervous stimulant which reportedly increased endurance.

An up-and-coming young amateur racer, Borrego Lee is the 2021 Florida State Criterium Champion in the men’s 23-29 category.

On Saturday 5 February 2022, Borrego Lee was ordered by USADA to provided an in-competition urine sample when he finished 27th in the first stage of the multi-day event. After providing the sample he continued racing, but failed to finish the second stage and placed 44th in the third stage.

Afterwards, USADA accredited lab testing showed the urine contained phentermine, resulting in an anti-doping violation requiring a four-year ban.

Using a new Article (10.8.1) added to the Anti Doping Code in 2021, Borrego Lee admitted the violation and accepted the 4-year ban within 20 days of USADA notification, resulting in an automatic 1-year ban reduction.

Thus, Borrego Lee will serve a three-year ban starting 25 March 2022, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Borrego Lee has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to 5 February 2022, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Photos: USADA