Two Portuguese riders handed significant bans after biological passport abnormalities

The Portuguese Anti-Doping Authority (ADoP) has announced bans for two Portuguese cyclists, Venceslau Fernandes and Rafael Silva.

Venceslau Fernandes has received a six-year ban following his provisional suspension in 2024. Meanwhile, Rafael Silva’s ban is four years in length.

30-year-old Fernandes was a former winner of the Volta a Portugal do Futuro in 2018. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Silva, who also won the same race in 2012, announced his retirement on January 28, 2024, after being notified by ADoP about the findings.

In September, the UCI announced that Portuguese Continental side APHotels & Resorts - Tavira - SC Farense would be suspended for 20 days after the team recorded two anti-doping violations within a twelve-month period, involving Venceslau Fernandes and Delio Fernandez Cruz.

“On 7 November 2024, the Portuguese rider Venceslau Fernandes was notified by the National Anti-Doping Agency of Portugal (ADoP) of an ADRV, due to unexplained abnormalities in his ABP in 2023," read the UCI's statement.

According to the ADoP's updated disciplinary list, Fernandes’ ban began on November 28, 2025, though time served since November 7, 2024, will count towards his suspension. Silva’s sanction similarly accounts for his earlier suspension from February 5, 2024, and will run until February 4, 2028.

The cases add to a growing list of disciplinary actions in Portuguese cycling linked to biological passport-based anti-doping controls.

In December, fellow Portuguese António Carvalho Ferreira was handed a four-year ban by the UCI after being found in violation of anti-doping rules linked to unexplained abnormalities in his biological passport.

APHotels & Resorts - Tavira - SC Farense were the second Portuguese squad to be suspended by the UCI in recent years due to doping offences, following W52-FC Porto in 2022.