In May 2020 the International Cycling Union (UCI) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Mexican cyclist Luis Ricardo Villalobos Hernández after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance GHRP-6.
The Athlete provided a sample in April 2019 and it was initially analysed and reported as negative by the Mexico Laboratory. Yet, after the Mexico Laboratory ceased its operations in November 2019 the Athlete's sample was reanalysed in the Montreal Laboratory revealing the presence of GHRP-6.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete requested the Laboratory Documentation Package and analysis of his B-sample. Further he provided limited information about the supplements and medication he had used at the material time.
In January 2021 the Athlete indicated he was investigating the chain of custody in Mexico. Hereafter he failed to respond to the UCI communications nor participated in the proceedings. The case was referred to the UCI Anti-DopingTribunal and a decision was rendered based on the written submissions of the parties.
The Sole Arbitrator finds that the presence of a prohibited substance has been established in the Athlete's A and B samples and accordingly that he commmitted an anti-doping rule violation. The Arbitrator holds that the Athlete didn't submit an answer in these proceedings and concludes that he failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional.
Therefore the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal decides on 21 December 2021 to impose a fine and a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 18 May 2020.
Costs of the UCI for the results management, the sample analysis and the documentation packages shall be borne by the Athlete.