KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider Jesse Ewart has been provisionally suspended by the UCI after a urine sample collected from him tested positive for the banned substance Erythropoietin (EPO).
Ewart's name was included the UCI's provisionally suspended licence-holders list which was updated on May 16.
The sample, which returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF), was collected from Ewart after the first stage of the Tour of Sharjah, which he won.
TSG sporting director Danny Feng disclosed that Ewart has requested for his "B" sample to be tested and has also appointed a lawyer.
When urine samples are collected they are separated into "A" and "B" samples. The "B" samples can be tested at a latter date if necessary.
"He will challenge the result of the test and will request for the 'B' sample to be tested," said Danny when contacted today.
"As the charge is directed towards him directly and not the team, Ewart is handling the process himself. He has already appointed a lawyer.
"He maintains that he did not take the substance and will fight to clear his name.
"As he has been provisionally suspended from competitions by the UCI, TSG have also suspended him until this issue is cleared.
"We have a strict zero-tolerance policy towards doping in sports and prior to this have never had any rider test positive in the team's 13-year history.
"We, however, consider Ewart to be innocent until he is proven guilty.
"As this is now a legal matter, I am not able to comment beyond that."
EPO is a drug that boosts the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. It was often abused in cycling in the past but has been curbed through stricter more advanced testing.
Ewart, 29, is Australian-born but represents Ireland in international competitions. He joined TSG last season.