RadioShack’s Fuyu Li suspended

The UCI has issued a provisional suspension of RadioShack rider Fuyu Li after he tested positive for the stimulant Clenbuterol at last month’s Tour of Flanders.

According to a UCI statement issued Thursday, a urine sample submitted by the Chinese rider ahead of the cobbled classic was tested at the WADA accredited laboratory in Ghent, Belgium. Fuyu finished 122nd at the Tour of Flanders, 9:15 behind winner Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank).

Clenbuterol, listed as banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Code, is commonly used as a stimulant, a weight-loss drug and a bronchodilator. The drug is also specifically banned under Article 21 of the UCI’s Anti-Doping Rules.

Fuyu has the option of requesting and overseeing the retesting of his B sample. Fuyu’s provisional suspension remains in force until the B sample test comes back negative or until a hearing panel convened by the Chinese Cycling Federation determines whether Fuyu had violated UCI and WADA anti-doping rules. According to a release issued by the RadioShack team on Thursday, Fuyu will request a test of his B sample.

“Fuyu Li has been immediately suspended pending the outcome of his B-sample test in the next few weeks,” the team noted. “If that test is positive the rider will be removed from the team.”

The 31-year-old Fuyu joined the Discovery Channel team in 2007, becoming the first Chinese rider to sign with a ProTour team. He is the reigning Chinese national time trial champion.

“Team RadioShack and its management take this incident very seriously,” RadioShack noted in a release. “We will respect the rights of our rider but will enforce our zero tolerance policy should his B-sample test positive.”

FILED UNDER: News / No Spoil / Road TAGS: doping / RadioShack / Tour of Flanders

Charles Pelkey

Charles Pelkey joined VeloNews in 1994 after serving as press secretary for former GOP Whip Alan K. Simpson in the U.S. Senate. Pelkey has worked as a journalist since 1985 and held a number of editorial positions at VeloNews including Senior Editor of VeloNews.com. Pelkey earned a JD from the University of Wyoming College of Law and lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with Diana, his wife of 25 years, and their two children, Philip and Annika, whose presence serves as a constant reminder of what really matters. Pelkey left VeloNews in July, 2011, but continues to be a regular contributor. Charles can now be found at liveupdateguy.com

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