One of the bright young talents of the cyclo-cross world has tested positive for drugs.
Aurelien Duval, only 21, found out today his B-sample also came back positive for Norfenfluramine. He has been suspended after testing positive at the Franco-Belge stage race in October but it has taken over three months for his second sample to confirm the offense.
Duval, who had a two year deal with the Pro Tour French squad Francaise des Jeux, has been dismissed from the team and now faces a two-year suspension.
“We are especially disappointed for Aurelien, because it is not a performance-enhancing product,” said team Sport Director Martial Gayant.
Martial Gayant raises a good point. Is it worthy of a two year suspension? We would love to hear your thoughts on this issue (info @ bikepure.org). We may never know if the Norfenfluramine was being used as a masking agent (as it has been in other cases) but it definitely was on the banned substance list, therefore the use of this same product is deemed having an ‘artificial performance’ gain. Yes, it is not EPO, but once a rider gives into the temptation of performance enhancing drugs of any sort we have been informed by past dopers that it is a path difficult to return from.
A lighter rider will have a better power to weight advantage, yet is it fair that a rider whose natural determination to watch his calorie intake, be beaten by another who has cheated to get his weight down? Duval finished second in the Under 23 cyclo-cross World Championships, although missed much of the 2009 season due to ligament problems.
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