French cyclist Houanard banned 2 years for doping

More sports January 22, 2013

French cyclist Houanard banned 2 years for doping

AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) — French rider Steve Houanard has been suspended for two years for doping with EPO, and a disciplinary case has been opened against former Lance Armstrong teammate Leif Hoste of Belgium, the International Cycling Union said on Tuesday.

The UCI said Houanard accepted his sanction. The 26-year-old rider was provisionally suspended by the governing body last October pending a disciplinary case by the French cycling federation. Houanard was pulled from the Tour of Beijing by the Ag2r-La Mondiale team when news of his out-of-competition positive test emerged ahead of the stage race.

The UCI said it also asked the Belgian federation to open a case against Hoste based on irregular blood values in his biological passport. Hoste, a three-time runner-up in the Tour of Flanders one-day classic, announced his retirement at the end of last season, citing problems with back pain.

The 35-year-old rider rode with Armstrong on the Discovery Channel team in 2005. Hoste also spent the 2006 season with the American team.

Subjects
- Sports,
- Doping,
- Cycling,
- Men's cycling
People
- Lance Armstrong
Locations
- Belgium,
- Western Europe,
- Europe

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