Two cyclists have tested positive positive for EPO following this year's Gran Fondo New York. Gabriel Raff of Argentina and Felipe Mendez of Colombia were caught by doping control following the popular granfondo, which invites riders to "be a pro for a day".
In a bizarre twist it emerged that Raff tried to evade discovery by pretending to be his twin brother, who was also taking part in the event. A former professional Ironman athlete, Raff finished 25th in the event while Mendez ranked 71st.
Gran Fondo New York (GFNY) and its associated events are run in the style of traditional Italian granfondos, with amateur racers competing for prizes at the front, while a larger field of sportive cyclists take part behind.
The original New York Gran Fondo was held in 2011 and quickly expanded, with the GFNY series now encompassing 20 international events including editions in Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Italy and Jerusalem.
With more at stake than a typical sportive, this is not the first time GFNY cyclists have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Back in 2015, the winner of the men's race and third place in the women's event both failed drugs tests and were stripped of their podium places.
The GFNY website publicises its history of adverse drugs results and sets out its rigorous anti-doping policy.
In the wake of the recent findings Uli Fluhme, CEO of the GFNY series, reasserted his policy towards doping control in clear terms.
"It's simple: you can't catch cheaters if you don't perform doping controls. These results show that testing is necessary and that it works.
"Unfortunately, most large races still don't test which sends a clear, yet terribly worrying sign: doping is allowed here," said Fluhme.
"We don't allow course cutting at our races so why would we look the other way when it comes to doping? GFNY riders train hard for races. They deserve fair competition. We owe them doping controls, even if the costs are now well over $15,000 each year.
"Not testing the athletes is a selfish, cost-saving decision from a race director. It forces everyone to take drugs to try to level the playing field."
Since news broke of the positive EPO tests Fluhme has been forced to defend his policy of doping controls on Twitter - including a pointed exchange with Dr Jeroen Swart, Medical Director at WorldTour UAE Team Emirates.
Only last month, UAE rider Kristijan Durasek was provisionally suspended as part of the 'Operation Aderlass' doping inquiry. The findings date to a time before Durasek joined his current team, and apparently didn't stop Swart weighing in against Fluhme:
Fluhme and other Twitter users were quick to point out the irony - "glasshouses" and "stones" springs to mind.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Raff has taken to social media to comment on the test results, and appears to admit to having doped "for the first time":
First time using drugs. Caught right away.
🎅 pic.twitter.com/nWLg9UfJd0— Uli Fluhme (@ulif) June 20, 2019
Judging by that Santa Claus emoji, we're not sure Fluhme is buying it.
Both Raff and Mendez now face lifetime bans from all GFNY events.
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