VIENNA (AP) — An Austrian mountainbiker has been banned for eight years for doping infringements — the longest drug-related suspension ever for an athlete in Austria.
A former national cross-country cycling champion, 33-year-old Robert Kircher was found guilty of ordering, possessing and selling illegal performance-enhancing products in March 2009. Austria’s anti-doping agency NADA did not specify the drugs.
According to NADA, Kircher initially admitted in a police hearing that he sold doping products to other athletes, but later withdrew his confession.
Local newspaper Kleine Zeitung reported that Kircher plans to appeal the ban.
