Spanish cycling news Ciclo21 reports the Portuguese Anti-Doping Authority (ADoP) has banned two Portuguese cyclists Venceslau Fernandes and Rafael Silva, both for unexplained biological passport irregularities.

Fernandes, 29, received a six-year ban from participating in sport in any capacity until 6 November 2030. He won the Volta a Portugal do Futuro as a U23 rider and competed with entry level continental pro teams Oliveirense, Kelly, Feirense, and Tavira teams.

Silva, 35, was handed a four-year ban that runs until 4 February 2028. A winner of the 2023 Portuguese Cup, he also competed at the continental pro level for over 10 years with the LA Aluminios, Efapel, and Feirense teams.

An Athlete Biological Passport is an individual electronic record of an athlete’s biological markers and anti-doping test results gathered over a period of time. Doping violations can be detected via data variances outside permissible limits based on an athlete’s established historical levels.

Over the last few years 10 Portuguese cyclists have been caught up in anti-doping incidents. Additionally, the Portuguese development team AP Hotels & Resorts-Tavira-SC Farense was suspended from competition for 20 days in 2025 after two of its riders each allegedly committed anti-doping violations within a 12 month period. 

This all follows the now famous 2022 W52-FC Porto case where 7 riders on the team were banned for anti-doping violations and prison sentences issued for the team CEO and Sports Director recently.

Photo Credit: Efapel Cycling, Clube de Ciclismo de Tavira

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