UPDATE 14 January 2025: Ilkhan Dostiyev has been banned 4 years by the UCI, until 8 September 2028.

Ilkhan Dostiyev (Astana Qazaqstan Development Team) of Kazakhstan has been preliminarily suspended by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) after testing positive for the banned blood boosting agent EPO CERA (Erythropoietin), just days after winning the Tour of Romania.

After finishing second at the Giro Ciclistico dell Valle d’Aosta in July, and winning the sprint points competition, the 22 year-old was ordered to provide anti-doping samples at an out-of-competition test on 30 July, which he did. But then Dostiyev continued competing and won the biggest race of his youthful career, the UCI Tour of Romania on 18 August.

Not only did Dostiyev win the Tour of Romania stage race by over one minute to claim the leader’s yellow jersey, he dominated the race and also won the best young rider and mountains KOM competitions as well.

If found guilty of the anti-doping violation Dostiyev is looking at a four year ban from sport.

Upon learning of Dostiyev’s alleged anti-doping violation, the Astana Qazaqstan Development Team promptly released him, with Sports Director Alexandr Shushemoin issuing the following statement:

“This news was a shock and a disappointment for us. We trusted Ilkhan Dostiyev as one of the team leaders and had high expectations for him, which have now been completely shattered. After receiving the information, we promptly contacted the runner and asked for an explanation, which Dostiyev provided, also expressing full willingness to cooperate with the UCI and the anti-doping authorities. We can say with absolute certainty that the Astana Qazaqstan Development Team has no connection to this incident. Our team adheres to a “zero tolerance” policy, we constantly work with runners and do our best to ensure that athletes understand not only the consequences of the use of doping, but also the absurdity of trying to violate the anti-doping rules. Since Dostiyev admitted to violating the anti-doping rules, the runner was suspended from the races and his contract was immediately terminated. Now we are collaborating fully and openly with all the organizations involved to clarify all the details of what happened.”

EPO CERA or Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator is a newer form of EPO created to treat patients with kidney problems by increasing red blood cell production. For endurance athletes, more red blood cells help carry more oxygen to muscles, and therefore significantly increases athletic performance.

Photo Credit: UCI

© 2019-2024 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily