In April 2019 the International Cycling Union (UCI) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Costa Rican cyclist Román Villalobos Solís after his sample teste positive for the prohibited substance Metandienone and blood transfusions.
Previously in 2013 the Athlete was sanctioned in Costa Rica for 18 months after he tested positive for the prohibited substance Ostarine.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete waived an Acceptance of Consequences. In his submission to the UCI he disputed the irregularities that occurred during the doping controls in Costa Rica.
The Sole Arbitrator of the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal rendered a decision based on the Parties' written submissions due to the Athlete hereafter failed to respond nor filed a statement in his defence.
Based on the evidence in this case the Sole Arbitrator finds that the presence of a prohibited substance and blood transfusions had been established in the Athlete's sample and accordingly that the he had committed 2 anti-doping rule violations, to be considered as one single violation.
The Sole Arbitrator holds that this is the Athlete's second anti-doping rule violation and deems that he failed to establish that the violation was not intentional, nor grounds for a reduced sanction.
Therefore the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal decides on 21 October 2020 to impose a fine and an 8 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 2 April 2019.
The UCI's costs for the results management and the laboratory documentation package shall be borne by the Athlete.
