According to El Pais, Tour of Portugal winner Alejandro Marque tested positive for betamethasone during his triumphant ride on the Iberian peninsula. The papers have been sent to the Spanish federation and a clause in the contract means that the Spaniard will not join Movistar as was originally planned.

After several years riding for smaller teams in Portugal, Alejandro Marque experienced his big breakthrough when he won the Volta a Portugal in August. A dominant win in the penultimate stage time trial allowed him to take the yellow jersey and crown his professional career with an overall victory in his season highlight.

The result allowed him to realize a lifelong dream when he signed a contract with Movistar. The Spaniard was expected to use his time trial skills and solid climbing to support riders like Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde but those dreams have now been crushed by a positive test.

According to El Pais, Marque tested positive for betamethasone in the Portuguese tour. Under WADA rules, the substance is banned when taken orally, intramuscularly, intravenously or rectally. The UCI has sent the file to the Spanish federation who will determine whether he has committed an anti-doping rule violation. He risks a two-year sanction and the loss of his win which will be given to his OFM teammate Gustavo Cesar Veloso.

The case has already had the consequence that he will not ride for Movistar in the coming season.

"There is a clause in the contract which ensures that the rider will join the team without facing any problems, and if there are any, the contract will be terminated with immediate effect," Movistar told the Spanish newspaper before confirming that there has indeed been a problem.

Marque was absent from the recent team gathering as he stayed home to take care of his mother who suffered from a serious illness.

This week the team made the surprise signing of Igor Anton after having finalized its roster several weeks ago. Whether this is related to the Marque case is still unknown.