It comes after failed drugs tests incurred by Czech riders Jan Kovar and Michal Brazda.

They were each found to have taken banned steroids stanozolol and clenbuterol following an out-of-competition drugs test on November 12.

Under International Cycling Union (UCI) rules introduced in 2015, teams who incur two doping failures within the same 12 month period risk a suspension of between 15 and 45 days.

A final decision on this is due to be made by the UCI Disciplinary Commission.

"The UCI was informed that the Anti-Doping Committee of the Czech Republic sanctioned the riders Jan Kovar and Michal Brazda with a period of ineligibility of four years for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation following Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) of stanozolol and clenbuterol in the samples they provided on 12 November 2016 during out-of-competition controls," confirmed a statement posted on the website of the world governing body.

"Both riders were members of the UCI Continental Team Elkov - Author Cycling when they received notice of the AAFs.

"These two cases within the same 12-month period trigger the application of article 7.12.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules providing for the suspension of the team from 15 days to 45 days.

"The UCI will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Commission which will render a decision in due course.

"At this stage of the procedure, the UCI will not comment any further on any of these matters."

The Czech-based team have competed professionally since 2000 and currently participate in the UCI Europe tour.

Both riders were considered up and coming Czech stars who have enjoyed success in national level events.

Brazda, 19, won the Czech junior national road race title in 2015.

Kovar, 20, has competed regularly at continental tour level events since 2014.

Both will now be barred from competition until 2021.