Great Polish talent suspended! We’re talking about an illegal substance

Kacper Gieryk, 21, is one of the most talented Polish cyclists of the young generation. He won the national youth time trial championship three times.

News about the Pole’s temporary suspension appeared on Wednesday evening, reported by the International Cycling Union (UCI). Apart from Gieryk, there are six other cyclists on the list, from countries such as Kazakhstan, Argentina, Greece, the Netherlands and France.

Kacper Gieryk temporarily suspended. He’s a talented cyclist

Darbepoetin (dEPO), a derivative of the well-known synthetic erythropoietin (EPO), was detected in a Pole. It is a means of improving physical endurance, regulating red blood cells, which affects the transfer of oxygen in the athlete’s body. This much is known at such an early stage of diagnosis.

It is worth adding that the temporary suspension means that Gieryk must probably wait for the next moves made by the UCI. Additionally, it also allows for an appeal against a decision that has been made public.

– When it comes to procedures, a temporary suspension is standard, especially in the case of substances classified as hard doping. The athlete has the right to provide explanations and may request that the B sample be tested. If found guilty, he or she may face a four-year disqualification, admitted Michał Rynkowski, director of the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA), to WP/SportoweFakty.

The case concerns samples taken by UCI representatives during the cycling world championships held in Zurich in September this year. Gieryk competed in the U-23 category, taking part in a mass start race and an individual time trial.

We can only hope that in the case of such a talented Polish cyclist, the athlete will ultimately be cleared of suspicion.