Russian cyclist Petr Ignatenko (pictured) has been fired by his RusVelo team after testing positive for human growth hormone (HGH), while SouthEast cycling has yet to decide what action to take, after Ramon Carretero tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO). Both positive tests occurred in April, and were revealed through an update to the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) list of riders currently serving a sanction.

Both teams are members of the Mouvement pour un Cyclisme Credible (MPCC), and under its rules would be expected to suspend itself from all racing for eight days, if B-samples comes back positive. This could affect team participation in events such as the Vuelta a Venezuela, the Giro della Slovenia and the Sibiu Cycling Tour (Romania), which all take place this month.

‘Staying true to the principles of zero tolerance to any violations of this type, the team officially declares all the previously concluded agreements with the rider null and void with an immediate effect’, read a statement from the RusVelo team. “I know absolutely nothing about this”, SouthEast cycling’s team manager Angelo Citracca told TuttoBici. “I’m here in Paris and I’m heading to the Four Seasons hotel where I have to meet a big sponsor, but now what do I tell him?”

Carratero was part of SouthEast cycling’s 2015 Giro d’Italia squad, however withdrew during stage 2 in Belfast on 10 May, which could have coincided with his being informed of his 22 April positive. Ignatenko’s 8 April positive is understood to be the second HGH positive in professional cycling, following Patrick Sinkewitz’s adverse analytical finding for HGH in 2011. It is understood to be RusVelo’s fifth positive test in two years.