Related case:
CAS 2018_A_5518 Nicola Ruffoni vs UCI
November 15, 2018
In May 2017 the UCI reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Italian cyclist Nicola Ruffoni after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance GHRP-2.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete waived an Acceptance of Consequences and he filed a statement in his defence. Without a hearing a decision was rendered by the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal Sole Arbitrator on the basis of the written submissions.
In his submissions the Athlete denied the intentional use of the prohibited substance. He disputed the reliability of the test results and he objected the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. He alleged that he had been the victim of sabotage or a contaminated product and argued that he tested negative in April and May 2017.
Because the analysis of the Athlete’s A and B samples revealed the presence of GHRP-2 the Sole Arbitrator is comfortable satisfied that the Athlete committed the anti-doping rule violation.
The Sole Arbitrator finds that the Athlete in any way failed to establish a departure from the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL). Also he failed to demonstrate, on a balance of probability, that the volation was not intentional.
Therefore the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal Sole Arbitrator dismissed the Athlete’s arguments and allegations and decides on 14 December 2017 to impose a fine and a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. 4 May 2017.
Costs of the UCI for the results management, the sample analysis, the out-of-competition testing and the ABP documentation package shall be borne by the Athlete.
