Tour de France: Nairo Quintana disqualified after tramadol found in blood samples

Tramadol was banned by the UCI in 2019 although infringements of the in-competition ban are offences under medical rules and do not constitute an anti-doping violation.

Quintana finished sixth overall in this year's Tour but will now have his results deleted. However, he will not face a ban and is free to ride in the Vuelta a Espana, which starts in Utrecht on Friday.

A statement said: "The Union Cycliste Internationale [UCI] announces that the Colombian rider Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas has been sanctioned for an infringement of the in-competition ban on using tramadol, as set out in the UCI Medical Rules, with the aim of protecting the safety and health of riders in light of the side-effects of this substance.

"As this is a first offence, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas is not declared ineligible and can therefore participate in competitions."