In January 2020 the International Cycling Union (UCI) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kazakh cyclist Ilya Davidenok after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO). Presviously the Athlete was sanctioned for 2 years, starting on 16 October 2014, for the presence of a prohibited substance in his sample.
After notification a provisional suspension was ordered. The Athlete denied the violation, yet he didn't file a statement in his defence, nor submitted an Acceptance of Consequences within the set deadline.
Thereupon the Athlete failed to respond to the UCI communications and didn't participate in the proceedings. The case was referred to the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal 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 sample and accordingly that he committed 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. Further the Arbitrator considers that this is his second anti-doping rule violation, there are no grounds for a reduced sanction, yet there had been substantial delays in proceedings not attributed to the Athlete.
Therefore the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal decides on 23 December 2021 to impose a fine and an 8 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting backdated on 3 April 2020.
Costs of the UCI for the results management and the sample analysis shall be borne by the Athlete.
