Portuguese cycling has been rocked by five doping cases during the 2015 season. According to sports daily A Bola, five riders have had unusual values in the biological passport which has caused “huge concern” at a national level.

In total, ten doping cases, five in cycling, three in athletics, one in swimming and one in canoeing, have been revealed by analyzes made by the Doping Analysis Laboratory (LAD), accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

A Bola stresses that the five cases involving cyclists are due to "variations in the biological passport”. They also note that the riders will receive notifications "no later than at the end of December" and that they will be asked to provide explanations to the Portuguese Anti-Doping Authority (Adop).

The situation has generated a "huge concern in national organizations involved in the control and the fight against doping" because of the volume of the cases and the hematological changes in the values ​​of the controlled athletes.

"The official agencies are involved in the fight against doping. It would be unthinkable to try to discredit the work done in recent years. All existing and duly confirmed cases will move forward, despite some delays due to bureaucratic issues," a source described as" directly linked to the process” told the Portuguese newspaper.

A Bola writes that "doping has truly worrying proportions in Portugal." It"is no coincidence" that the president of the Portuguese Cycling Federation recently had a meeting with the team managers of the continental teams (Efapel, LA-Antarte, Louletano-Ray Just Energy, Radio Popular-Boavista, Team Tavira and W52-Quinta da Lixa in 2015) "to warn about the possible cases and to make those responsible aware of situations that can seriously affect the sport.”

Cycling was more the most controlled sport in Portugal in 2014 as 123 samples were taken for the biological passport, followed by athletics (63), canoeing (37), triathlon (14) and swimming (7).