The French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) has stripped amateur masters cyclist Julien Jacques (LYON SPRINT EVOLUTION) of his 2024 French National Champion title, while also banning him from participating in sport in any capacity for 16 months, after he tested positive for the banned substance Prednisolone.

In mid-June Jacques won the French Masters Track Championship Men’s 45-49 Pursuit title on the velodrome in Bruay La Buissiere. But shortly after pulling on his new tricolor French National Champion’s jersey, the 47 year-old tested positive for Prednisolone in a test ordered by AFLD.

In September AFLD found Jacques guilty of violating anti-doping rules, banning him from sport for 16 months and stripping him of results from 13 June – 17 September 2024, including his French National Champion title.

Prednisolone is banned from use in competition by the World Anti Doping Agency. It is a corticosteroid drug typically prescribed to reduce inflammation in the body associated with asthma, allergic reactions, lupus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Former pro cyclist David Millar reported that taking corticosteroids, like Prednisolone, before an event leads to feeling amazing, alert, rested and full of “super energy.” A 2016 randomized medical trial suggests that the positive mental effects of taking the drug, mixed with physical training, yields a significant increase in cycling endurance.

Jacques is banned until 17 January 2026.

Photo Credit: AFLD

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