UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed that cyclist Andrew Hastings, who competed for Richardsons-Trek RT, has been suspended from all sport for four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

Hastings tested positive for two anabolic steroids; metenolone, its metabolite and a metabolite ofstanozolol.

The findings came as a result of an in-competition test at the 2015 Team Time Trial National Championship in Newark, Nottinghamshire on 30 May 2015 where Richardsons-Trek RT finished second. The event was promoted under the rules and regulations of Cycling Time Trials (CTT).

Richardsons-Trek RT has been disqualified from the event and their result annulled.

UKAD’s Director of Operations, Pat Myhill said:

“The message from UKAD is clear – the use of any prohibited substances in sport will not be tolerated. The Hastings case is the perfect example of how an individual makes choices which not only cheat himself but  cheat his team mates and his opposition. That choice has resulted in a four year ban from all sport.

“More importantly however, Hastings’ actions put him at risk of seriously damaging his health. Steroids, and steroid use, continue to be a concern for UKAD and we are seeing an increase in the number of men turning to them for performance enhancing effects but also for cosmetic reasons.

“Often these steroids are bought with no consideration for where the products come from or how they are made.

“UKAD relies on information from a wide range of sources, not only to catch those who choose consciously to go against the spirit of sport, but to also unearth the root cause of the problem – those who supply these substances.

“I would encourage anyone who has information about doping, or the supply of prohibited substances, to come forward and talk to us in confidence.”

• The full decision can be found here.

• This media release was originally published on UK Anti-Doping’s internet site on 10 December 2015. To access the original, please click here.