Cardoso denies taking EPO, requests B sample test
'I am fully aware that I will be presumed to be guilty,' says🃏 suspended Trek-Segafredo rid💖er





In the wake of today's UCI announcement that 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:André Cardoso (168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Trek-Segafredo) 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:tested positive for EPO in an out-of-competition control earlier this month, the Portuguese rider has denied ever having used EPO or any performance enhancing drug. Cardoso said he has requested his B sample be tested "as soon as p🍷ossible."
Writing on Facebook, Cardoso,𒁃 who has been provisionally suspended by both the UCI and his🔥 team until results of the B sample test return, said he would never let down his team, teammates or the sport.
"Today, I received notification from the UCI that my A Sample, from a urine test done at my home on June 18th, tested positive for Erythropoietin" Cardoso wrote on Facebook. "I have requested to the UCI that ✱my B sample be tested as soon as possible."
Cardoso was brought on board Trek-Segafredo this year in part to 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:support Alberto Contador in the Tour de France. This year would have been the 32-year-old's first crack at the Tour after having raced the Giro ღd'Itꦿalia three times and the Vuelta a España four.
"Getting the chance to ride at the pinnacle of professional cycling is the greatest honor I could ever hope for, and I was looking forward to doing my best for my team and myself at the Tour," he wrote. "I believe in clea꧂n sport and have always conducted myself as a clean athlete, but I realize that this news puts a dark cloud on not just myself but also on our sport and my team, teammates and staff.
"Before anything else, those people are my friends and colleagues for whom I have unlimited respect, and under no circumstances would I ever do something that could put them, their f♌amilies or their reputations in jeopardy."
Cardoso we🎀nt on to write he was devastated by the news and asked his colleagues and fans alike not to judge him too quickly.
The𒀰 latest race conte🌸nt, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I am fully aware that I will be presumed to be guilty, but it's important to me to say that I am devastated by this news and I wanted to state that I have never taken any illegal substances," Cardoso wrote. "I've seen firsthand through my career the awful effects that performance enhancing drugs have had on our sport, and I would never want to be a part of that. I've always tried to be a constructive influence in the peloton and on young, aspiring cyclists. It is my great hope that the B sample will come b♊ack as negative and clear me of any wrongdoing.
"Until then, I hope that those who know me, trust me when I say that I'm innocent, and tha🌼t my colleagues and cycling fans everywhe🅠re don't judge me too quickly during this difficult time."