French world and Paralympic cycling champion Thomas Peyroton-Dartet has been provisionally suspended after a sample collected at the 2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships returned an adverse analytical finding for erythropoietin (EPO), the International Testing Agency (ITA) announced this week.
The ITA, which runs the UCI’s independent anti-doping programme, said the sample was collected in competition on Saturday 05 September 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama. Two days later, the 41-year-old won the men’s C3 road race world title and rainbow jersey over 69.0 kilometres in 01:36:43. Spain’s Juan Alberto Jiménez Gutiérrez finished four seconds behind, with compatriot Eduardo Santas Asensio taking bronze nine seconds back.
EPO is prohibited at all times under the WADA Prohibited List and is classified as a non-specified substance. It stimulates red blood cell production, increasing oxygen delivery to the muscles.
Peyroton-Dartet has been notified of the finding and may request analysis of his B-sample. If that analysis confirms the A-sample result, or if no request is made, the case will proceed as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation, and he will have the opportunity to present his explanation. A mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed, which he has the right to challenge. The ITA is handling the case on behalf of the UCI and said it would make no further comment while proceedings are ongoing.
The French rider won C3 time trial gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, along with road race silver behind Great Britain’s Finlay Graham. He was also runner-up in the 2025 world championship road race.
For now, the anti-doping test result remains a reported adverse analytical finding, not a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The outcome of the process will determine whether his Huntsville world title is affected.
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