Sidecar Motocross Racer Tests Positive for Clenbuterol

The International Motorcycling Federation announced it has provisionally suspended sidecar motocross passenger Lauris Daiders after a urine sample tested positive for the prohibited substance clenbuterol. The positive test came from an in-competition urine test at the July 21 FIM Sidecar Motocoss Championship round in Strassbessenbach, Germany.

Lauris rides passenger with his brother Janis Daiders in the Sidecar Motocross world championship. The Latvian brothers currently sit third in the 2013 championship, with three rounds remaining and had an outside chance of passing Etienne Bax and Kaspars Stupelis in the race for second behind recently-crowned World Champions Ben Adriaenssen and Ben van der Bogaart.

The Daiders brothers have been among the top competitors in recent seasons. The team finished second in the 2011 season and last year, Lauris Daiders won three Grand Prix rounds as a passenger with 2012 World Champion Daniel Willemsen but because he only participated in less than half the season as an injury replacement, Daiders did not get official credit as a world champion.

Clenbuterol is a drug used to treat breathing disorders, helping increase aerobic capacity, blood pressure and delivery of oxygen through the bloodstream. In recent years, clenbuterol has been the substance behind several performance-enhancing drug scandals, most notably in 2010 when it cost cyclist Alberto Contador his victory in the Tour de France.

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency, a low-level presence of clenbuterol in a test sample may be caused by food contamination. Daiders has the right to request and attend an analysis of his B sample.

The Daiders brothers released a statement on their official website saying Lauris will not be competing in this weekend’s races at Dardon-Geurgnon in France. The team also says Janis “is determined to finish the season with honor” and may seek a new passenger to complete the last few rounds in his brother’s stead.

[Source: FIM, Team Daiders]

By Dennis Chung