Zirbel accepts two-year suspension; Zwizanski & Van Ulden move up

Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 2, 2010) -- The United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA) has announced that Tom Zirbel of Boulder, Colorado, an athlete in the sport of cycling, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and has accepted a suspension for his doping offense.

Zirbel, 31, provided a urine sample on August 29, 2009, at the PRO Road Championships, held in Greenville, South Carolina. The sample resulted in an adverse analytical finding for testosterone or its precursors, which is in the class of anabolic steroids and prohibited under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code ("Code") and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

Zirbel accepted a two-year period of ineligibility which began on November 17, 2009, the day he accepted a provisional suspension. As a result of the doping violation, Zirbel has also been disqualified from all competitive results achieved at and subsequent to the USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

Results from the 2009 USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships have been revised for the elite men's time trial and medals will be awarded accordingly. The 2009 USA Cycling Pro Tour and 2009 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar rankings will also be adjusted as necessary. The revised results are as follows:

Pro Men's Time Trial
1. David Zabriskie (Salt Lake City, Utah/Garmin-Slipstream)
2. Scott Zwizanski (Mill Valley, Calif./Kelly Benefit Strategies)
3. Bernard VanUlden (Belmont, Calif./Jelly Belly Cycling Team)

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

CONTACT:
Erin Hannan, Communications & Outreach Director
Phone: (719) 785-2009
E-mail: ehannan@usada.org