South African Daryl Impey, who resides in the South became the first African rider to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France last year, has failed an anti-doping test for the masking agent Probenecid, according to the Orica-GreenEdge rider.
The Sports Industry Daily reports that Impey, who was not included in Orica-GreenEdge’s nine-man Tour de France team when it was revealed on Tuesday, said in a statement: “Further to the announcement of the Tour de France team and in the interests of full disclosure, I confirm that on June 23, 2014, I was notified by William Newman, the President of Cycling South Africa, about an adverse analytical finding for Probenecid following an in-competition test at the national time trial championships on February 6, 2014.’
Probenecid is used to mask the use of doping substances, anabolic drugs in particular.
The cyclist said, “I had no knowledge of Probenecid, nor have I ever taken the substance knowingly in any manner. I am committed to drug-free sport and fully intend to take all steps necessary to clear myself of any suspicion.
“The notification came as a complete shock to me just days before the start of the Tour de France, particularly since anti-doping tests conducted on me on February 8 and 9, 2014 yielded no adverse results.”
“I immediately flew back to South Africa and was present at the analysis of my B sample on June 27, 2014, the results of which confirmed the initial analysis.”
The Tour de France starts in Leeds, England on Saturday.
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