Sportive – The winner of the 2022 Haute Route Alpe d’Huez suspended for EPO doping

Brazilian Antonio “Pippo” Garnero, 39, has been provisionally suspended in France by the AFLD, following a positive EPO test at the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez, which he won in late June 2022. The rider has admitted the facts and is awaiting the final sanction.

Image: Haute Route Logo

Antonio Garnero has had a rather atypical career, as he only started competitive cycling at the age of 25. He turned professional at 30, and the following year became Brazilian road champion, before participating in the world championships the year after. For several years, he had specialized in granfondo events, winning the Marmotte in 2019, the Haute Route Alpes in 2021, and the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez in 2022.

At the Haute Route Alpes 2022, he won the third stage on August 24, and was ranked third in the general classification on the morning of the fifth stage, before the organizer was informed by the AFLD that a procedure had been initiated against the Brazilian rider following a positive test during the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez in June.

Statement from the Haute Route organizer on their Instagram account on August 26:

“The Haute Route Alpes organizers are aware of the recent report concerning an athlete registered for one of our events. We have been informed by the Anti-Doping Agency, which is responsible for continuing the investigation into this matter, that, in accordance with applicable rules, the athlete has been declared ineligible for further participation at this time. Subsequently, the athlete’s participation in the event has been suspended. As the Haute Route Alpes is operated in accordance with the French Sports Code, which also applies the rules of the World Anti-Doping Code, we will respect the investigation process and the rights of athletes accordingly. Haute Route will recognize and enforce any sanctions imposed by the Anti-Doping Agency. Haute Route remains committed to clean sport and compliance and will take the correct measures if necessary.”

Shortly after, Antonio Garnero published the following statement on his Strava account, where he admitted to taking EPO:

“Friends, I have been informed by the AFLD that they have reported my provisional suspension from all competitive activity due to an adverse analytical finding for erythropoietin (EPO), a drug used, among other things, to treat anemia. Although the behavior is unjustified, I have spoken openly, even to prevent the error from being repeated by another athlete. At the end of last year, I retired professionally at the age of 38, after reaching the pinnacle of national cycling, in perhaps one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports.

At the beginning of the year, however, I decided to return to competition – this time exclusively as an amateur – at altitude. During my preparation, I had sensations that seemed to indicate a possible pre-anemic state, confirmed by tests I underwent. In haste and without thinking, in an act of desperation, I resorted to medication to try to raise my blood levels to reference parameters. This was the first and only time I used the hormone, a fact proven by the countless tests I have already undergone in my career. In this state, I should not even have thought about competing. I was wrong. I did not weigh it correctly. My apologies. I accept the interpretation and sanctions assigned to me. Now, I only have one path to follow: to continue. To keep myself on two wheels, to take care of my work and my family.” Source: Pipo Garnero Strava account (Google Translate translation)

A few days before the Haute Route Alpe d’Huez, Antonio Garnero had reportedly already missed an anti-doping control at the finish of the GNFY Mont Ventoux, where he had taken fifth place.

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