Tramadol detected in Quintana: Cycling star reacts to Tour disqualification

"I am not at all aware of the use of this substance and I deny ever having used it during my career," Quintana was quoted as saying in a statement in Colombian media quoted. He is preparing his defence with his lawyers, according to the two-time Tour-de-France-who has cancelled his start at the World Cup, which begins on Friday. Vuelta a Espana has cancelled.

Tramadol in Quintana: No doping offence

In two dried blood samples taken from the 32-year-old on 8 and 13 July the opiate tramadol was detected. According to the UCI, this is not a doping offence, but a violation of the association's medical rules. Tramadol has been banned by the UCI since 1 March due to its side effects, but is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) banned list. Quintana is therefore not banned.

As part of a programme to detect Tramadol, 120 so-called dried blood samples were taken during the Tour. Quintana has ten days to appeal against the judgement before the International Court of Arbitration for Sport Cas.

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