The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) confirms that Samuel Sanchez has been sanctioned with a period of ineligibility of two years, following an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) committed on 9 August 2017 (i.e. Presence and Use of the prohibited substance GHRP-2 and its Metabolite GHRP-2 M2).
After careful review of the explanations and evidence submitted by Mr. Sanchez, the UCI has accepted the likelihood that the origin of the ADRV was a contaminated supplement Mr. Sanchez was using.
As Mr. Sanchez has been provisionally suspended since 17 August 2017, his period of ineligibility will end on 16 August 2019. While the UCI would have preferred the case to be resolved sooner, establishing the source of the ADRV required multiple scientific analyses, as well as follow-up investigations, to make sure the correct conclusions were reached.
The case has been resolved via an acceptance of consequences as provided for by the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules. The resolution can be appealed by the National Anti-Doping Organization of Spain and the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The UCI will not comment any further at this time.