Simon Yates has been handed a four-month sanction by the UCI ©Getty Images

Britain’s Simon Yates has been suspended for four months after the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced he was sanctioned for a non-intentional anti-doping rule violation.

The 23-year-old rider tested positive for the substance terbutaline following in-competition drug test after stage six of the Paris-Nice in March.

His Orica-GreenEdge team claimed the positive test at the UCI World Tour race had been due to an “administrative error” and would attempt to clarify the situation with the governing body.

They argued that the substance was being used in the ongoing treatment of Yates’ asthma problems but failed to apply for the required Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE), with the substance appearing on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned list.

The UCI have accepted that the positive test had been as a “non-intentional anti-doping rule violation”, with the case being resolved by an acceptance of consequences.

Yates’ suspension began on the date of sample collection, due to World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, and will come to an end on July 11.

Simon Yates will resume racing at the Tour of Poland which begins on July 12
Simon Yates will resume racing at the Tour of Poland which begins on July 12 ©Getty Images

“Simon has been given a four-month sanction by the UCI given the administrative error in not having a required TUE for his asthma inhaler at Paris-Nice," said Shayne Bannan, Orica-GreenEdge general manager.

"The team has taken full responsibility for this all along and we look forward to seeing Simon back racing.

"It has been an unfortunate break due to circumstances that Simon cannot be blamed, but above all, we are happy that is has now come to a conclusion.

"Simon has been training well and we welcome him back on the roster for a strong second part of the season."

Orica-GreenEdge had initially been hopeful of Yates competing at the Criterium du Dauphiné earlier this month, but withdrew him from selection while the case was ongoing.

The length of his suspension means that Yates would miss the start of the Tour de France on July 2, with Orica-GreenEdge confirming he will be resuming racing at the Tour of Poland on July 12.

"The case of Simon Yates serves to highlight that all athletes are responsible for what is found in their system, regardless of how it got there. In relation to medications, all athletes need to take personal responsibility for what they are being given, even when prescribed by a doctor," said Nicole Sapstead, UK Anti-Doping chief executive,.

"UKAD encourages all athletes to check the status of medications before use via GlobalDRO.com.”