Hungarian rider Bálint Makrai faces provisional doping suspension following positive test for Dianabol
Cycling
With the Tour de Hongrie starting within the next month, it would be logical for Hungarian cycling to be ramping up towards its biggest moment of the year. However, that is not quite the case, and this week one of its riders has been suspended due to a positive result for an anabolic steroid - a case of doping.
Recent doping controversies in the sport include BTC Cty Ljubljana Zhiraf Ambedo rider Linda Laporti who returned a positive test at the women's UAE Tour; two teams that have been suspended due to having several cases within specific periods of time; whilst Marc Soler's father Jaume was sanctioned over having a direct working link with a banned US Postal doctor, with strong links also existing to the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider. Just this week, former pro Danilo Napolitano is also facing consequences due to the possession and attempt to administer banned substances to a minor.
The International Testing Agency has now revealed the positive doping test for Dianabol after an out of competition test carried out on the 30th of March, something which is difficult to argue about a grey area, taking into consideration the steroid is banned under any circumstance for professional cyclists - it is used to increase testosterone levels, which would then enhance physical strength and ability.
This applies to Hungarian rider Bálint Makrai, a 19-year old rider who is part of the Italian Pro Team MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort. Hence, it is a case of a significant level, taking place in the second division of the sport. Whilst far from the top, Makrai has finished in the Top5 of the Hungarian national championships last year and had been hinted at as a strong developing potential. A provisional suspension has been handed, which can be contested and/or explained.
As a result of this suspension, the Italian team has been expelled from the upcoming Tour de Hongrie, as confirmed by the race organizers this Friday morning. “The integrity of the sport and fair play are more important than anything else,” race director Károly Eisenkrammer said in a press release.
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- for what?frieders311-11-2026
- Blah blah blah!frieders311-11-2026
- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
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