Colombian Pantano suspended after failing drug test

(Reuters) – Colombian cyclist Jarlinson Pantano has been suspended after failing a drug test during an out-of-competition doping test conducted by the Cycling Antidoping Foundation in February, his Trek-Segafredo team said on Monday. “It is with deep disappointment that we have just learned that our rider, Jarlinson Pantano, has been notified of an unfavorable analysis result in a sample,” the U.S.-licensed team said in a statement. “In line with our zero tolerance policy, it was immediately suspended. “We require our drivers and staff to adhere to the highest ethical standards, and we will follow them and communicate as more details become available.” “Digital Weekly” reported that the 30-year-old returned on February 26 after an examination showed unfavorable results for the presence of erythropoietin (EPO). “In accordance with UCI anti-doping regulations, the cyclist has been provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the case,” the International Cycling Union (UCI) said. statement. “At this stage of the procedure, the UCI will not comment further on this matter.” Pantano can now request analysis of his B sample. After turning professional with Team Colombia-Coldeportes in 2012, Pantano began riding IAM Cycling in 2015 and 2016 before joining Trek in 2017. He has four career wins – stage The Tour de Suisse, a stage of the 2016 Tour de France, the Colombian National Time Trial Championships and a stage of last year’s Volta a Catalunya. (Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)