Sporting news MARCA.com is reporting that 130 amateur masters age riders abandoned the Interclubs Vinalopo road race in the Spanish town of Villena on 2 March after learning mid-race that the Spanish anti-doping organization CELAD was waiting at the finish to carry out random anti-doping tests.

Of 182 starters, only 52 completed the 91km route and officially crossed the finish line of the sixth event in an eight race series.

Rider Alvaro Marza, 33, finished third and posted of the mass abandons on social media, “Doping control = punches and withdrawals. This is not a mathematical formula, it is pure reality. Let’s see if action is taken, it’s a fucking joke. Besides, I passed the test. This is the third time I’m passing a check.” Adding, “We know perfectly well that not finishing the race is a sign that you don’t play very clean.”

On Facebook, race organizer Interclubs Vinalopo tried to put a positive spin on the situation, attributing the mass abandons to a “lack of training”, old age (masters 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+) and they “were already 2 minutes behind the front group.” Adding, the cold, the wind and the hardness of the route were factors to take into account too, plus similar abandonment rates occurred at previous editions of the race.

174 riders are pre-registered for the next Interclubs Vinalopo race taking place on Saturday 9 March. With no word yet on whether CELAD doping officers will be present, it is anybody’s guess how many riders will show up to race, but you can bet Alvaro Marza will be there.

Photo Credit: Bjorn Haake

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