MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort reinstated for Tour de Hongrie despite a pending doping investigation into one of their riders

Last week, the public has been informed that a Hungarian professional racer Bálint Makrai, representing MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort, returned a positive out-of-competition doping test. This finding didn't go unnoticed as the Tour de Hongrie organizer quickly revoked the home team's invitation to the 2.Pro race, citing its zero-tolerance doping policy as a vital reason. But now, the decision has been taken back and MBH Bank is back among participants.

The change of stance follows what organizers described as constructive discussions with all parties involved, including team manager Antonio Bevilacqua. According to the event’s operational body, Vuelta Sport Office, the team offered sufficient assurances of its commitment to fair play and clean competition.

Central to the revised decision was the squad’s immediate suspension of the rider involved, along with its pledge to cooperate fully and transparently with the ongoing investigation. Makrai tested positive for anabolic steroid Dianabol during an out-of-competition control on March 30. Makrai has since been provisionally suspended by his team while waiting for B-sample results.

Following news of the adverse analytical finding, race director Károly Eisenkrammer initially confirmed that MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort would be excluded, citing the event’s long-standing commitment to integrity and its responsibility to uphold the credibility of the competition. That position, however, has been reassessed in light of the team’s swift internal response. With the decision overturned, 19 teams line up to the 47th edition of Tour de Hongrie, including the country's only professional squad.