WADA joins UCI to ban Tramadol use in competition after Quintana tested positive in the Tour de France
Cycling
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has until recently not considered Tramadol a substance that can lead to a suspension whilst in competition, but that is about to change as it joins the UCI in the decision to ultimately ban the substance from any in-competition use, with the consequence of suspensions confirmed.
"Research studies funded by WADA have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance physical performance," WADA said in a recent press release. This will mean the substance will no longer be permitted to use in competition and can much more easily lead to suspensions of the riders who may use it. Whilst it was already considered a banned substance by the UCI, WADA have only now made the call.
This came after studies funded by WADA proved the great possibility that the substance may be performance enhancing in endurance sports, aswell as the danger of addiction to athletes. The news come in the wake of Nairo Quintana having tested positive for the substance twice during the Tour de France, which has led to his results being nullified, but did not lead to a suspension or ban however.
The Colombian rider is currently working on his defense in the came, for over a month. The ban will only be introduced in 2024 however, WADA justifies the delay to give the teams and riders time to adapt to the new rules and avoid. More specifically, "to allow the communication of the implications of it."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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