Cycling: Yates wins Lake Taupo cycle race

Controversial cyclist Jeremy Yates today won the Lake Taupo Cycle Classic two days after receiving a ban for drug taking.

Yates,
23, took home $2000 for his victory in the 160km race after the Belgian
Cycling Union on Thursday banned him from entering any international
professional race from December 1 for two years.

The former
world junior road champion and Athens Olympian had been under
investigation in Europe after a doping sample earlier in March showed
unusually high levels of testosterone.

He was also fined 750 Swiss francs ($NZ925) for failing to supply a second sample.

But Yates had a licence to compete in today's race which is sanctioned by Bike New Zealand.

Media
co-ordinator for the event, Jocelyn Moyle, said Yates was entitled to
take part in the event because he held a current race licence.

She said the event organising committee had no comment regarding the ethical implications of Yates' participation.

- NZPA