Mario Paz Duque, from Colombia, has tested positive for Erythropoietin (EPO) at the Red Hook Criterium (RHC) Milano No.7 on October 1, 2016. The designated in-competition controls were administered by the RHC’s independent anti-doping officials and the tests were carried out by the Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory, a World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratory.

Paz Duque, who finished 38th, is now disqualified from the Milano No.7 results and receives a lifetime ban from the RHC and all Trimble Racing events.

As the RHC has evolved so have our anti-doping efforts with the support of leading experts in the field. We will continue in-competition testing at the RHC, and going forward all athletes will also be subject to out-of-competition tests.

The RHC has shared these results with the relevant National Anti-Doping Organization and encourages all race organizers in the track bike criterium community to recognize our anti-doping sanctions.

As a reminder, taking performance enhancing drugs is not only unfair, it also has dangerous health implications. We encourage teammates, friends and team managers to report any known doping use.

The RHC is founded on the principles of pure competition, and we are committed to keeping our sport clean.

RHC OFFICIAL RULES