Cyclist Robert Stannard Sanctioned
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Anti-Doping Tribunal of 3 June 2024 to impose a four (4) year period of Ineligibility on athlete Robert Stannard, a cyclist riding for UCI WorldTour Team Alpecin-Deceuninck, for the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.
The UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal found that Mr Stannard committed the Use ADRV due to unexplained abnormalities in his Biological Passport in 2018 and 2019.
In addition to a four (4) year period of Ineligibility, the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal also imposed a monetary fine corresponding to 70% of Mr Stannard’s average annual salary in 2018 and 2019.
Results obtained during period of ineligibility (17 August 2018 – 16 August 2022) are disqualified.
Additional information on the Anti-Doping Rule Violation
In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Biological Passport Operating Guidelines, if, following the review of an athlete’s Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), it is determined that further investigations are required, an anti-doping organisation may contact the athlete and request an explanation.
An ABP provides longitudinal data and allows for the monitoring of certain biomarkers over time to better detect the use of performance-enhancing substances and/or methods.
Blood doping is the practice of misusing certain substances and techniques to increase the red blood cells in the body. There are three widely known substances or methods used for blood doping, namely, erythropoietin (EPO), synthetic oxygen carriers and blood transfusions. Misuse of these substances and techniques could lead to a range of serious health effects.
