Fourth Spanish cyclist fails test

Fullana's test failure is another blow for Spanish cycling

Spanish cyclist Margarita Fullana has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO).

The International Cycling Union (UCI) said an "adverse analytical finding of EPO" was detected in a urine sample.

Fullana, 38, took cross-country cycling bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and is a three-time winner at the Mountain Bike World Championships.

Her test failure is the fourth to hit Spanish cycling in recent days.

On Thursday, three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was suspended after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol.

The 29-year-old blamed contaminated food for the result, which revealed a minute amount of the muscle-building and fat-burning drug in his system.

On the same day, the UCI also announced that Tour of Spain runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera and his Xacobeo team-mate David Garcia Da Pena had tested positive for banned substance hydroxyethyl starch.

The plasma substitute increases blood volume, boosting oxygen delivery to the body.

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Fullana's positive sample was collected in an out-of-competition test on 30 August, the UCI said in a statement.

It added: "Her provisional suspension remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the Spanish Cycling Federation determines whether she has committed an anti-doping rule violation under article 21 of the UCI anti-doping rules.

"Ms Fullana has the right to request and attend the analysis of her B sample. Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time."

UCI president Pat McQuaid said on Saturday that the Spanish government should be doing more to tackle the doping problems tarnishing the image of its cyclists.

Speaking at the World Road Championships in Australia, he said: "The government needs to first of all recognise there is a problem and I don't know that they've actually recognised it as a problem.

"Then they need to sit down with the sport and put a lot of measures in place... cycling's an important sport in Spain. It deserves the support of the government into trying to ensure it can completely clean up its act."

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