An 18-year-old semi-professional cyclist has apologised for using the banned performance-enhancing drug EPO.
Gabriel Evans, who describes himself as a second-year junior rider from London, said: “I would like to say that I am extremely sorry to those who have supported me thus far, especially to those individuals and clubs who have been an endless resource over my intense, albeit short, journey. I know that this will come as a nasty shock, and I wish that I could apologise in person to all of you.”
Evans, who said he had been involved in high-level sport since the age of 14 and rides for London Dymano, is the junior national 10-mile time-trial champion and won the 2014 junior 25 TT title.
He told timetriallingforum.co.uk: “I would also particularly like to apologise to the competitors and organisers of the 2015 Junior National 10 TT, especially to those three riders who were cheated out of medals.”
In an unusually candid confession, he described the sequence of events that led to him being caught with the drug. “On 3 August 2015 I bought EPO for the first time. On 11 August 2015 I travelled to France for a week’s training camp with the family of a then team-mate. With me I brought one vial of EPO.
“This was found by the team-mate’s father who presented evidence to UK Anti-Doping. Ukad contacted me shortly after to arrange a deposition, in which I promptly admitted to all wrongdoing. I withdrew from the upcoming Junior Tour of Wales, the premier event on the junior calendar.
“I have competed only one time since buying the drugs; on 5 September 2015 I raced the National Junior 10m TT in which I finished first. I did not have this race in mind when I used the drugs; I realise that competing was [another] huge mistake but at the time my intent was not malicious. I was hoping to regain some normality and that the whole mess would somehow be swept under the rug. I have now forfeited this title.”
He added: “Finally: if there is anybody reading this who is considering using PEDs, know that my choice has turned out to be immensely destructive and has seriously affected my personal life for the past four months (and, I’m sure, will continue to do so).
“When each week yields news of another positive test it can be easy to work yourself into a mentality whereby doping can be normalised and justified. In reality it strips all enjoyment out of riding.
“It is immensely damaging not only to your sporting career but also your personal life and it is also very, very dangerous. There is nothing that I would not give to be able to turn back the clock to August 2015 and have that choice again.
“I am doing the best I can to put this right by being as honest and contrite as possible. I plan to continue to train hard for the duration of my ban and return to racing once it expires, whenever that should be.”
