Paolini doping case referred to UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal

Luca Paolini's doping case has been referred to the UCI's Anti-Doping Tribunal ©Getty Images

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has announced it has referred Luca Paolini’s doping case to their Anti-Doping Tribunal.

Paolini was notified of adverse analytical finding of benzoylecgonine metabolite, cocaine, in a sample taken after stage three of the Tour de France on July 7.

Following the decision the Italian rider was immediately removed from the Grand Tour and suspended from competition until the case was resolved.

The 38-year-old’s case is now set to be heard by the UCI’s independent Anti-Doping Tribunal, established in 2014 with aim to prevent National Federations from giving their athletes favourable judgements.

“The Tribunal shall hear Mr. Paolini’s case and render a judgment in accordance with the Tribunal Procedural Rules,” a UCI statement read.

“The decision will be published in due course on the UCI website.

“At this stage of the procedure, the UCI will not make any further comment on the case.”

While the stimulant cocaine is banned in competition under the World Anti-Doping Agency Code, which came into force on January 1, the substance is not prohibited outside of competition.

In the event that the veteran Italian cyclist opts to fight the case, his defence could be based upon the substance having entered his system prior to the race start on July 4 in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

The Katusha rider tested positive on stage three of this year's Tour de France ©Getty Images

Paolini had maintained his innocence but apologised for the damage caused when the positive test announced.

“I believe and have always believed in controls, are making the sport more credible, more and more credible,” the Italian wrote on Twitter.

“I wanted to be quiet and solve this thing on my own, I am not the type who looks for scandals.

“With success I take my responsibilities in full and try to do so with utmost clarity!

“I apologize to all my fellow riders and certainly to the Tour de France, especially ASO, knowing that the timing of this was not appropriate, especially with the high concentration of the media.”

“I apologize to my teammates and the fantastic Team Katusha.”

Paolini has been the only cyclist to date to be implicated in a doping scandal at this year’s Tour de France, where a total of 656 doping controls were carried out, including 482 blood and 174 urine tests.