Following a 15-month preliminary suspension for alleged EPO doping, 24 year-old French amateur cyclist Gauthier Navarro (Béziers Méditerranée Cyclisme) has taken his first “revenge” win after being cleared of all charges by the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD).

L’Équipe reports that Navarro allegedly tested positive for EPO in October 2021 during the U23 Ronde de l’Isard race, resulting in suspension. Test results were deemed abnormal based on World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) standards, with three urine tests yielding “atypical” positive results and one coming out negative. Blood tests were also negative for banned substances.

A long fifteen months later AFLD finally lifted Navarro’s suspension, dropping all charges without comment and allowing the young rider to resume a full racing schedule in 2024. Motivated out of revenge for his wrongful suspension and lost opportunity, Navarro was determined to win. On 24 March he achieved his goal, winning the 154km Bordeaux-Saintes one-day road race in a dramatic sprint finish.

Chapeau!

Photo Credit: Anne Lacaud

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