Costa Rican rider Jason Andrey Huertas, the newly crowned Pan-American road race champion, is facing a second career doping case after being notified of an adverse analytical finding linked to the 2025 Vuelta a Costa Rica. The 28-year-old amateur revealed the news himself in a video posted on social media on Monday 13 July 2026.
The case marks Huertas’ second adverse finding, following a positive test for EPO during the 2017 Vuelta a Costa Rica, which resulted in a three-year suspension.
Huertas confirmed he received the notification several days earlier and said the news had been difficult to process, both personally and professionally. He has not disclosed which substance triggered the finding. Represented by legal counsel, he intends to exercise his right to defend himself before Costa Rica’s National Anti-Doping Commission (CONAD) and has seven days to submit his formal response before the disciplinary process continues. He maintains he committed no intentional anti-doping rule violation and said he would make no further comment while the case remains pending.
Last season, the 28-year-old served as team leader and mentor for the Malza Té-La Selva Scott development team of teenage and Under-23 riders. Three days prior to Huertas posting his video, Malza Té-La Selva Scott announced he was no longer part of the team.
Former professional Andrey Amador, now technical director of the Costa Rican national team, publicly condemned the case and called for stronger legislation targeting those who sell and promote banned substances rather than focusing solely on punishing athletes.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Article 10.9.1, the period of ineligibility for a second anti-doping rule violation typically ranges from eight years to a lifetime ban, depending on the nature and severity of both violations.
The case adds to Costa Rica’s troubled anti-doping history, with further developments expected as CONAD’s investigation continues.
Photo Credit: Federación Costarricense de Ciclismo
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