Marcos Garcia late attack, Vuelta a Espana 2010, stage two

Spanish cyclist David Garcia tested positive for banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana, in addition to failing another test during the race for hydroxyethyl starch, a substance used as a masking agent for EPO.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced on Wednesday that Garcia failed the test for EPO on a urine sample taken on September 13 during the Vuelta. A urine sample taken on September 16, also during the race, produced a positive test for hydroxyethyl starch.

Garcia's Xacobeo-Galicia team-mate Ezequiel Mosquera also tested positive for hydroxyethyl starch. Mosquera finished the Vuelta in second place behind winner Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas). Garcia placed 11th overall.

Both riders have been provisionally suspended by the UCI until the Spanish Cycling Federation assesses each case.

Garcia and Mosquera are two of five Spanish riders who have recently failed doping tests. Mountain biker Margarita Fullana failed a test for EPO and Tour de France winner Alberto Contador is currently suspended due to testing positive for clenbuterol during the race. Earlier in September, it was announced that Oscar Sevilla had failed a test for hydroxyethyl starch during the Tour of Colombia.

Related links

Contador case splits experts' opinions

McQuaid quiet on Contador case but says Spain can do more

Mosquera and Garcia positive at Vuelta

Sevilla tests positive for blood plasma substitute

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.