Polish rider provisionally suspended after alleged anti-doping violation

Polish cyclist Aurela Nerlo has been provisionally suspended by the Polish anti-doping agency after allegedly providing a positive sample which showed the presence of Ligandrol, a substance which increases lean muscle mass.

The 27-year-old had been slated by her French UCI Women's ProTeam, Winspace Orange Seal to start the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, but she was pulled from the squad just before the race began.  The team issued a statement on Friday confirming the positive test.

"We have been informed today that the analysis of our rider Aurela Nerlo's B sample, conducted by the Polish Anti-Doping Agency, has confirmed the initial positive result for LGD-4033 )Ligandrol), a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List," said a statement sent to Domestique Cycling. 

"The situation is a great disappointment for the team, the riders, and the entire staff.

"We would like to remind [sic] that Aurela herself spontaneously informed us upon receiving the notification of the first adverse analytical finding on July 24, 2025. She has since expressed her shock and mentioned the possibility of an involuntary contamination related to the use of supplements or anti-inflammatory treatments used to treat a knee injury."

A solicitor's letter posted on Nerlo's personal Instagram denies any intentional doping.

"First of all, we wish to emphasize clearly that Ms. Nerlo has never knowingly used any prohibited substance," the post read. "And this, just as for you, is a great surprise to her, as she has always welcomed anti-doping controls.

"We would like to point out that in recent times Ms. Nerlo has been tested multiple times (in March and April 2025 alone), and none of the test results showed the presence of a prohibited substance. Ms. Nerlo is also part of the so-called Registered Testing Pool of Athletes and is obliged to provide her daily whereabouts in the ADAMS system, which in practice means that she is constantly available to anti-doping authorities for testing."

Polish sport website ONET first reported the matter on Friday afternoon, confirming the test was undertaken by the Polish Anti-Doping agency.

"I confirm, the test took place out of competition at the athlete's place of residence. It was conducted by the Polish Anti-Doping Agency," director of the Agency, Michał Rynkowski told ONET. "The case has been referred to the disciplinary panel, which will continue the investigation. The substance detected in the athlete's system belongs to group S1, meaning anabolic steroids. It's Ligandrol."

Ligandrol is an anabolic steroid, Nerlo would be eligible for a four-year suspension if the case is upheld. 

"We're currently investigating the cause, analysing the supplements. I'll fight to defend myself. I'm shocked by the situation, I'm looking for the why and the why, because I don't understand it,” Nerlo is reported to have told ONET.

"Our policy is based on zero tolerance for doping," the team statement continued. "But also on the belief that every athlete deserves to be heard and supported during such difficult times. High-level sport demands absolute rigorous, but also humanity and respect.

"We hope that Aurela will be able to shed full light on this matter as part of the disciplinary procedure that has been initiated."

Nerlo, who recently finished fifth in both the Polish time trial and road race championships, has been with the French squad since last season, having previously raced with the Spanish Massi-Tactic team. Her career-best result came at the start of this season when she finished second at Omloop Nieuwsblad after being in the day’s breakaway and being out-sprinted by Lotte Claes.

According to the US Anti-Doping website, LGD-4033, which is marketed as Ligandrol, is prohibited at all times for athletes. They also state the drug  is not approved in the United States, or anywhere anywhere in the world, but it is manufactured as a ‘research chemical.’ Instead it is currently under investigation as a treatment for muscle wasting.