Young Hungarian prospect suspended after positive doping test as team pulled from Tour de Hongrie
Bálint Makrai has been provisionally suspended after returning a positive doping test for an anabolic steroid, the International Testing Agency (ITA) has confirmed.
According to a statement by the ITA, the 19-year-old rider tested positive for a metabolite of metandienone, also known as Dianabol, following an out of competition control carried out on March 30. The substance is listed under the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list as an anabolic androgenic steroid and is banned at all times.
Metandienone is known to increase testosterone levels and enhance muscle mass, endurance and strength.
Makrai has been notified of the adverse analytical finding and has the right to request analysis of his B sample. Should that sample confirm the initial result, or if no request is made, the case will proceed as a confirmed anti doping rule violation. The rider will also have the opportunity to provide an explanation as part of the process.
In line with anti doping regulations, a mandatory provisional suspension has already been imposed. Makrai retains the right to challenge that suspension while the case is ongoing.
The Hungarian rider has been part of the MBH Bank CSB set up since 2024, with the team stepping up to ProTeam level this season. His 2026 campaign has been limited to four race days, with his most recent appearance in the GP Slovenian Istria coming just over a week before the test was taken.
Last year, Makrai placed fourth and fifth at the Hungarian national elite championships, marking him out as one of the country’s emerging prospects.
The case has already had immediate consequences for his team. Race organisers of the Tour de Hongrie have withdrawn the invitation extended to MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort, reducing the field to 18 teams for the ProSeries stage race scheduled between May 13 and 17.
General director Károly Eisenkrammer said the decision was in line with the race’s stance on doping. “The integrity of the sport and fair play are more important than anything else,” he stated, underlining a zero tolerance policy.
Hungarian riders from the team who are not implicated in the case will still be eligible to compete via the national selection.
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