Agostini suspended after positive test for anabolic steroid
Cannondale rider tests positive out of competition and awaits CONI hearing
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Italian Stefano Agostini (Cannondale) faces an anti-doping hearing after he registered a positive test for clostebol in an August 21 out-of-competition test. Cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, announced on Friday that Agostini was provisionally suspended as he awaits a hearing with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).
Later Friday, Brixia Sport, owner of the Cannondale team, announced that it had fired Agostini, calling his confessed use of an illicit cream “careless.”
“The explanation provided to us by Agostini demonstrated complete carelessness, something unacceptable from a professional rider,” team manager Roberto Amadio said in a press release. “Our anti-doping and prevention policy is clear. Violation of that policy is not permitted and is dealt with firmly.”
According to the UCI, Agostini’s urine sample triggered an adverse analytical finding at the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Köln, Germany.
Agostini, 24, may request and attend the analysis of his B sample.
Clostebol, an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid, is prohibited in and out of competition by the World Anti-Doping Code.