Antwan Tolhoek banned after positive doping test

Dutch cyclist Antwan Tolhoek has received a four-year ban after testing positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, the UCI confirmed on Wednesday in a press release.

The 31-year-old climber, formerly of Jumbo-Visma (now Visma | Lease a Bike) and Lidl-Trek, tested positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in a sample collected during an out-of-competition control, initiated by the International Testing Agency on behalf of the UCI, on 27 November 2023, and was provisionally suspended.

In their latest press release on Wednesday, the UCI stated that "the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal has rendered a decision against Dutch rider Antwan Tolhoek."

"The Tribunal found the rider guilty of an anti-doping violation (presence of Anabolic Androgenic steroids) and imposed a four-year period of ineligibility on the rider."

The UCI also confirmed the dates of Tolhoek's suspension: "In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the period of ineligibility started on 7 February 2024 and will remain in force until 6 February 2028."

At the time of his positive test, Tolhoek was riding for Lidl-Trek but had signed with Portuguese Continental team Sabgal-Anicolor for the 2024 season. Following the doping allegations, he was promptly dismissed from the Portuguese squad.

The UCI statement confirmed the full decision will be published on their website in accordance with tribunal procedures, and the Dutch rider has a 30-day window to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids are prohibited substances under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, listed in class S1.1 of the WADA Prohibited List which is adopted by the UCI.

The UCI stated it "will not comment further on the matter."