It is rare for an entire team to be banned due to suspected doping. This measure decided by the UCI Disciplinary Commission is based on Article 11.3 of its Anti-Doping Rules (UCI ADR). According to this article, an entire team can be suspended if at least two riders or employees are charged with certain types of suspected anti-doping rule violations within the same 12-month period.
Two drivers with anomalies in the ABP
The suspected doping concerns two riders from Team Medellin - EPM who have anomalies in their respective Athlete Biological Passports (ABP). The ABP is used to monitor selected biological variables of an athlete. It also contains the results of the athletes' urine and blood samples, which are continuously monitored. Specifically, in both cases there was a negative passport assessment. This is reported when three experts are certain that the anomalies are highly likely to be explained by the use of a prohibited method or substance.
The two doping cases
"On 10 June 2025, Colombian rider Aldemar Reyes Ortega was informed by the National Anti-Doping Organisation of Colombia (COLDEPORTES) of a suspected ADRV due to unexplained anomalies in his ABP in the period between February and August 2023," the ITA explains on its homepage. On 21 August 2025, a second Colombian rider, Fabio Andres Duarte Arevalo, was informed of an ADRV attributable to February 2023 and between July and December 2024 and January 2025.
In accordance with Article 11.3.2 of the UCI ADR, the judgement of the UCI Disciplinary Commission can be appealed by the team itself or by the UCI before the Appeals Chamber of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Otherwise, the 30-day ban remains in place, which begins on 27 March and ends on 25 April. This would mean that the Continental team would miss the Tour of Hainan, which its rider Oscar Sevilla won in 2023, among others.
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
