GreenEDGE cyclist Simon Yates tests positive to terbutaline at Paris-Nice after use of asthma inhaler
GreenEDGE has blamed an administrative error for British cyclist Simon Yates testing positive to the banned substance terbutaline following the use of an asthma inhaler.
Yates, a road and track rider who won the points race at the 2013 world championships, tested positive after stage six of the Paris-Nice on March 12.
His team acknowledged the adverse finding in a statement on Friday.
"The substance was given to Simon Yates in the form [of] an asthma inhaler and accordingly, this was noted by the team doctor on the Doping Control Form, signed at the time of the test," the team said in the statement.
"The substance was given in an ongoing treatment of Simon Yates' documented asthma problems. However, in this case the team doctor made an administrative error by failing to apply for the TUE [Therapeutic Use Exemption] required for the use of this treatment.
"The use of Terbutaline without a current TUE is the reason it has been flagged as an adverse analytical finding. This is solely based on a human error that the doctor in question has taken full responsibility for.
"There has been no wrong-doing on Simon Yates' part. The team takes full responsibility for this mistake and wishes to underline their support for Simon during this process."