The suspension of seven W52-FC Porto cyclists is “a case of the utmost seriousness,” the federation says.

On Tuesday, the Portuguese Cycling Federation deplored the “extremely serious case” that led to the disqualification of seven runners from the W52-FC Porto team and noted that the process is still ongoing as part of civil justice for all involved.

“Today, the Portuguese Cycling Federation became aware of the suspension of seven runners from the W52-FC Porto team, the decision is based on the recognition of cyclists in violation of anti-doping rules,” reads a statement published on the official website of the federation.

The organization further emphasizes that “this evolution of the so-called Clean Test process is a very serious case, as it demonstrates a disregard for sports truth and the ethical principles that all sports agents are subject to and that they are required to provide to all teams and their top managers.”

Joao Rodrigues, winner of Volta a Portugal 2019 and Volta ao Algarve 2021, was banned for seven years on Tuesday, while six other W52-FC Porto cyclists received three-year sanctions from the Portuguese Anti-Doping Authority.

According to the list of disciplinary sanctions updated today by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal (ADoP), João Rodrigues will serve a four-year sentence imposed by the International Cycling Union for anomalies in a biological passport, and another three years for “possession of a prohibited method”, although he retains triumphs in these races , as well as in Volta ao Alentejo 2019.

Rui Viñas and Ricardo Mestre, winners of the Tour of Portugal in 2016 and 2011 respectively, are sentenced to three years for “possession of prohibited substances and prohibited methods” for the same reason that the ADoP brings suspensions for the same period. Ricardo Vilela, Daniel Mestre, José Neves and Samuel Caldeira.

“If, in respect of these seven athletes, the case is closed in sports justice because the penalties were applied with the consent of the cyclists, then the process in sports justice is still ongoing in respect of the remaining elements suspended in a preventive order, and in civil justice in relation to all agents who were charged in recent months,” the FGC statement says.

Litigation against the remaining three cyclists – Jony Brandão, José Gonçalves and Jorge Magalhain – and some of the W52-FC Porto employees suspended by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal (ADoP) is “still ongoing,” a source linked to Lusa said. confirmed today. in the process.

“The Portuguese Cycling Federation reiterates its confidence in the institutions responsible for investigating and following up on these cases and will not make any further comments on the progress of the so-called “clean evidence” process. with the utmost serenity, without external interference or media efforts on the part of the parties involved”, the federation defends, “confirming its firmness in the fight against doping, for sports truth and ethics”.

At the end of April, 10 cyclists from W52-FC Porto were charged, and the team’s sports director, Nuno Ribeiro, was even arrested, along with his deputy, José Rodriguez, who was in charge of Porto’s Department of Investigations and Criminal Affairs (DIAP) during Operation Clean Test.

During the police operation, “various substances and clinical instruments were seized that were used in the training of athletes and influenced their athletic performance,” the judicial police specified.

On July 15, eight cyclists (Rodrigues, Brandão, Viñas, Ricardo Mestre, Vilela, Gonçalves, Caldeira and Daniel Mestre) were proactively suspended by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal (ADoP), which also suspended José Neves at the end of August. and Jorge Magallanes.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has withdrawn the sports license from W52-FC Porto in front of Volta a Portugal.