Following an announcement from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), British Cycling can confirm that Mr Robin Townsend has been suspended from all sport for four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

Mr Townsend, a 46 year-old amateur cyclist, tested positive for the stimulant modafinil while riding for Team Swift. The in-competition test on 5 September 2015 followed Mr Townsend’s ninth-placed finish at the Burton and District Cycling Alliance 100 Miles event.  Mr Townsend’s ban will not expire until October 2019. 

Graham Arthur, UKAD’s director of legal, said: “Under the World Anti-Doping Code all athletes, whether amateur or professional, must follow the principal of ‘Strict Liability’. They are solely responsible for any banned substance which is found in their system, whether or not there is an intention to cheat.

“This can be challenging for an athlete - they need to be aware of the danger to their career at all times.”

Bob Howden, president of British Cycling, said: “This case highlights the clear position that UKAD and British Cycling share – that banned substances have no place in sport and riders caught with banned substances in their system will not be allowed to compete.

“British Cycling’s anti-doping culture is strong and we work closely with UKAD to deter all forms of doping and ensure that anyone falling foul of the rules is caught. I am saddened by any such instance, but the anti-doping system is working and we can take heart from that.

“British Cycling keeps its anti-doping work under regular review and our anti-doping commission will consider any implications from this case when it next meets in early February.”

The full written decision can be found under the current rule violations section of the UKAD website.