Chile’s top cyclist Marco Arriagada admitted to the media that he was one of the three riders who were reported having a failed steroid test but vowed to clear his name. The sample was taken during the Vuelta A Chile last month where he defeated his closest rival Gonzalo Andres Garrido Zenteno. The Chilean Cycling Federation also confirmed that there were riders caught using banned substances in the competition. The sports organization did not provide the names of these riders but Arriagada became vocal on his alleged positive test.

Arriagada’s career in cycling is flourishing and the issue of using performance enhancing drug will just put his achievements in vain. He recently won the Tour de San Luis beating Jose Serpa. Taking the victory in Tour de San Luis is not that easy because of other veteran cyclists who participated in the event like Xavier Tondo and Ivan Basso. The 35-year old cyclist also finished third in Vuelta Independencia Nacional.

While he was in the Dominican Republic, Arriagada told the media that he will address the issue immediately. He categorically denies that he was involved in doping. “I deny it emphatically. The Federation told me the news and now I have to discuss it with my lawyers,” said the pro cyclist. Arriagada is already back in Chile and is expected to clear his name by subjecting himself to tests to prove his innocence.

While the confirmatory test is still on going, the Chilean Cycling Federation have not issued detailed information about the type of steroid or other PED’s found in Arriagada’s sample. Anti-doping officials usually found traces of EPO in doping cyclists. This anabolic steroid helps increase the levels of oxygen in the blood which is beneficial for cyclists. EPO was also allegedly used by Lance Armstrong and his team when they competed in international competitions.

In the previous months, Tour de France champion Alberto Contador tested positive for Clenbuterol. The Spanish Cycling federation cleared the cyclist by accepting his argument that he ingested meat contaminated with steroid. Now, the WADA and UCI are planning to appeal the case.

Arriagada has an impressive record in the sport of cycling. He won the Tour of Chile three times and holds the national time-trial record for four times. He is also a veteran Olympian where he represented his country in 1996, 2004 and 2008 Olympics. And not to mention his world championship medals.

It is not yet clear what will be the strategy of Marco Arriagada in disputing the positive steroid test. Would he be using the same alibi used by Contador? Is there a possibility that the Chilean Cycling Federation will adopt the decision of the Spain’s cycling authorities?

If found guilty of doping, Marco Arriagada will face a maximum ban of two years.

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