The Colombian Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) was “disqualified from the Tour de France 2022“, in which he was ranked sixth, for a medical offense, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced on Wednesday. He was sanctioned for “a violation of the ban on the use of tramadol in competition“explains the UCI in a press release, specifying however that it is not a question of “anti-doping rule violations“and that the runner can appeal within 10 days.
The UCI specifies that the two samples of dried blood provided by the rider were analyzed on July 8 (7th stage) and July 13 (11th stage) during the Great Loop and revealed the presence of tramadol. As this is a first offence, Nairo Quintana (32) remains eligible and can therefore take part in competitions. The Arkéa-Samsic team, which announced Tuesday the extension of the Colombian until 2025, is counting on its leader to lead the team during the Tour of Spain which starts Friday from Utrech in the Netherlands.
Romain Bardet recovers 6th place overall
Since March 1, 2019, the UCI has banned the use of tramadol in competition in all disciplines and categories”in order to preserve the health and safety of runners given the side effects of this substance“explains the UCI in its press release. This disqualification allows Romain Bardet (DSM) to move up to 6th overall final of the 2022 edition of the Tour de France and Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) to join the Top 10.
At the start of the last stage of the Tour, Quintana said he was not in his best shape. “I haven’t been very well for the last few days, a bit of trouble breathing, but the work of the team in general has been very good and we are in the top ten of the Tour de France.“, he had said.