Team Polti VisitMalta — owned by ex-pros Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso — immediately released Colombian rider at center of latest anti-doping case.
German Dario Gomez, shown here at the 2025 Il Lombardia, was provisionally banned Tuesday. (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Updated January 28, 2026 05:28AM
Colombian rider Germán Darío Gómez Becerra was provisionally suspended after returning a positive test for the banned substance Boldenone, the UCI said Tuesday.
Gómez, under contract with the second-tier squad Polti VisitMalta, was immediately released by the team.
The cycling federation said the 24-year-old was notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding for Boldenone and one of its metabolites following an out-of-competition control carried out on December 28, 2025.
Under UCI anti-doping rules, Gómez Becerra has the right to request analysis of his B sample.
Boldenone and its metabolites are classified as anabolic androgenic steroids and are listed as prohibited substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Boldenone was originally developed for veterinary use, but can be used for recovery and strength building.
A pro since 2021, Gómez Becerra made headlines in 2019 when he broke down in tears during the junior worlds road race when he was left stranded by the side of the road while waiting for mechanical assistance.
Team Polti VisitMalta — owned by ex-pros Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso — released this statement:
“Today, we at Team Polti VisitMalta have received a notification from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regarding a potential Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) by our rider, German Dario Gomez Becerra, referred to an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an out-of-competition test conducted on December 28, 2025. As a result, the UCI has imposed a mandatory provisional suspension on the rider with immediate effect.
“At Team Polti VisitMalta, we operate under a strict zero-tolerance policy towards doping. This principle is a non-negotiable foundation of our project and is clearly stipulated in all our contracts and in our Code of Conduct. In adherence to this policy and the UCI’s decision, we have also suspended the rider’s contract, and he will be excluded from all team activities pending the resolution of the proceedings.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to clean cycling and will continue to collaborate fully with the UCI and all competent authorities to clarify the facts. Our team will always uphold the values of fair play and integrity in sport.”