Mosquera and Garcia positive at Vuelta

The Spanish media is widely reporting on Thursday that Ezequiel Mosquera and David Garcia of the Spanish Xacobeo-Galicia squad both tested positive for a banned substance during this year's Vuelta a Espana.

An announcement regarding the positive tests was made on Spanish radio station Cadena SER on Thursday morning.

Mosquera finished the 2010 Vuelta a Espana in second place overall behind winner Vincenzo Nibali and won the race's tough penultimate stage on Bola del Mundo. Garcia completed the Vuelta in 11th place. 

Mosquera had just signed a deal with the Dutch Vacansoleil squad for the 2011 season.

Both riders test positive for hydroxyethyl starch, a blood-boosting agent, found in their urine samples taken suring the Vuelta on September 16.

The news is a further blow to Spanish cycling after the news broke that Alberto Contador failed a test for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France, which he won. Contador has been suspended from competition pending further investigation.

Related links

Contador tests positive for Clenbuterol

Mosquera signs for Vacansoleil