Caja Rural-Seguros rider suspended after positive doping test
Alberto Ruiz Gallego is provisionally suspended by the UCI and has his contract at Caja Rural terminated after testing positive for Stanzolol, a metabolite of testosterone, on January 3

Caja Rural-Seguros rider Alberto Ruiz Gallego has been provisionally suspended by the UCI after submitting an anti-doping sample which tested positive for Stanozolol.
The 25-year-old tested positive on January 3 for the substance, a metabolite of testosterone. The Spaniard becomes the first professional rider to be suspended for doping in 2016.
Gallego enjoyed a solid season in 2015 riding for Continental team Radio Popular ONDA Boavista, claiming five top 10 finishes in stage races, ultimately winning him a contract with the Pro Continental level Caja Rural.
Gallego's contract has now been terminated by the Spanish team in accordance with current regulations and internal practices, according to a short statement on their website.
"The team is disappointed by this news as it strives to participate in a clean sport," the statement concluded.
His best performance came at the Route du Sud in June - a traditional build-up race for some Tour de France contenders - where he finished seventh, just over two minutes behind winner Alberto Contador.
He followed it up with 13th in the Spanish National Championships and third overall at the GP Internacional Torres Vedras in July.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gallego had been set to make his debut for Caja Rural at either Challenge Mallorca (January 28-31) or the GP de Marseillaise (January 31).
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Can anyone stop Primož Roglič or Juan Ayuso from winning the Giro d’Italia?
Roglič and Ayuso's form suggest they are the two outright favourites for overall victory in Rome next month
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How to watch Dwars door Vlaanderen 2025: Everything you need to live stream the cobbled Belgian Classic
All the information on broadcasters and live streams for Dwars door Vlaanderen on 2 April, as Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen, Marianne Vos and Lotte Kopecky take on the cobbles.
By Tom Davidson Published
-
French cyclist given 10-month suspended prison sentence for doping
Marion Sicot said doping formed "an integral part" of cycling
By Tom Davidson Published
-
French cyclist faces suspended prison sentence and €5,000 fine in doping trial
Marion Sicot, who admitted to taking EPO in 2019, is currently on trial in France
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steroids found in pro cyclist’s anti-doping test sample
Antwan Tolhoek has been provisionally suspended by the UCI while proceedings are ongoing
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Jonas Vingegaard reveals he missed an anti-doping test
'It's not great to have a missed test hanging over you,' says Tour de France champion
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Jumbo-Visma rider Michel Hessmann suspended after positive anti-doping test
The 22-year-old's out-of-competition sample detected the presence of diuretics
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Former British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman given four-year doping ban
Freeman chose not to defend himself before the anti-doping panel
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We are not cheaters' says Belgian rider Shari Bossuyt after anti-doping positive
The Canyon-SRAM rider tested positive for Letrozole in an anti-doping control in March
By Tom Davidson Published
-
"Failing that drug test was the best thing that had ever happened to me"
Abuse victim and disgraced cycling champion Geneviève Jeanson finds solace in return to bike racing
By Anne-Marije Rook Published