Polti's Germán Gómez cleared of doping after ITA accepts contaminated meat defence
Team Polti-VisitMalta rider Germán Gómez has been cleared to return to competition after the International Testing Agency deemed that his positive test for the anabolic steroid Boldenone had been caused by eating contaminated meat.
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The Colombian returned the positive test in an out-of-competition control on December 28 last year, and the UCI and ITA announced the following month that he had been provisionally suspended pending the analysis of his B-sample.
In a statement on Friday, the ITA confirmed that the case against Gómez had been resolved after he was able to prove he had consumed contaminated meat.
“Over the course of the results management proceedings, the rider was able to establish that the presence of boldenone in his sample resulted from the consumption of meat contaminated with boldenone while he was in Colombia,” read the statement, which confirmed that Gómez had been found to bear “no fault or negligence” in the case and therefore is not subject to a ban, and he has not been stripped of any results as the sample was from an out-of-competition control.
“The rider accepted the finding of an anti-doping rule violation and the matter is considered as resolved from the perspective of the UCI/ITA.”
Boldenone is an anabolic androgenic steroid and synthetic derivative of testosterone that was originally developed for veterinary use. According to a USADA fact sheet, it has a chemical structure that is “nearly identical to testosterone” and can “stimulate protein synthesis and the release of erythropoietin in the kidneys,” as well as helping to build body mass.
Polti-VisitMalta had halted Gómez’s contract and removed him from all team activities when the positive test was announced, but the team announced on Friday that he would return to racing at Paris-Chauny on Sunday.
“The team welcomes the conclusion of the proceedings and Germán’s full reinstatement with satisfaction, having remained close to him throughout, supporting him from the outset and during the entire process,” read the statement from the team.
Gómez turned professional with Polti in 2024 after racing with the GW Shimano Continental squad in Colombia. He placed fourth overall at the Giro Next Gen in 2023, while his best result as a pro was sixth overall at last year’s Tour of Turkey. The 25-year-old’s contract with the team expires at the end of this season.
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