The International Cycling Union welcomes the ban on tramadol

International Cycling Union President David Lappartian today welcomed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ban on the use of the painkiller tramadol from 2024 during competitions.

"We've been asking for it for a long time, we've always pushed for it and we're happy to make the decision," Lappartian told AFP on the sidelines of the world road racing championships in Wollongong, Australia.

Tramadol, a synthetic narcotic, has been under surveillance but has not yet been included in the World Anti-Doping Agency's List of Prohibited Substances and Products, but it has already been banned under the World Anti-Doping Association's medical regulations since 2019.

Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana was disqualified from the final Tour de France for using tramadol.

"Our arguments have been accepted. This substance is dangerous and carries the risk of drowsiness, loss of reflexes, especially on steep slopes. But we also know that it is an important pain reliever, and on the bike, pain is still one of the factors that limit performance.

The International Federation added that WADA's decision "will simplify life."

The current use of tramadol is subject to relatively lenient penalties by the FIA, such as lowering the ranks of the riders in the races.

And from 2024, "we enter the field of anti-doping, which means we risk two to four years of suspension. So things are no longer the same," according to the president of the International Federation.

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