The UCI suspends Vlad Dascalu for 17 months for three location failures

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has just announced a 17-month suspension for Romanian-born and Spain-based cyclist Vlad Dascalu.

Vlad Dascalu suspended for 17 months for three location failures

In a statement issued by the UCI on May 21, 2024, it is reported that Trek Factory Racing cyclist Vlad Dascalu has been suspended for 17 months for causing 3 whereabouts failures in 12 months. Elite athletes must be reachable at all times for possible random anti-doping controls. If UCI doctors cannot locate the athlete, they are given a failure, and if they accumulate three, they are suspended, as in this case.

This is the full statement released by the UCI:

The International Cycling Union (UCI) informs that the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal has issued a decision against Romanian rider Vlad Dascalu.

The Tribunal has found Vlad Dascalu guilty of an anti-doping rules violation (location failure) for committing three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period. The Tribunal has imposed a 17-month suspension.

In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Regulations, the suspension period starts on the day of notification of the decision, in this case May 21, 2024, and will remain in effect until October 20, 2025.

Furthermore, according to the Tribunal's Procedural Regulations, the decision will be published on the UCI website. The decision may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within one month.
The UCI will not make any further comments on the matter.