The Synergy Baku Cycling Project announced that it has suspended Alexandr Pliuschin. The Moldovan rider returned a non-negative test for Salbutamol at the Sharjah Tour in Dubai while riding for the Skydive Dubai Cycling Team in November 2014.

Pliuschin has been suspended from the team in accordance with the team’s policies and strong approach to anti-doping at any level. He will remain suspended until the case is resolved.

“The team makes no exception for any rider with an adverse finding. It is our policy and we cannot deviate from it,” said team manager David McQuaid. “In Alexandr’s case it happened during an end of season race last year for another team. But the ultimate onus is on the rider himself and Alex is not disputing that it was his and only his mistake.”

“Alex has been suspended from team duties pending due process. We, as a member of the MPCC, are handling the situation within the rule framework as set down by the MPCC and remain continually committed to that.”

Synergy Baku has informed the Movement for a Credible Cycling of the incident, as required. The team has been told it will not face any sanctions as Pliuschin was not with the team at the time of the positive test.