A junior Azerbaijani racer is facing a doping ban after testing positive for methamphetamine and its metabolites during the men’s junior road race at the 2025 UCI road world championships in Rwanda.
The UCI confirmed that Artyom Proskuryakov, 18, was nabbed in what it described as “intelligence-led testing.”
The cycling governing body said Tuesday that two samples returned adverse analytical findings for the stimulant during Africa’s first road cycling world championships.
The case raises eyebrows given the rider’s age. Doping violations in the junior category are rare, but have happened.
The “intelligence-led” nature of the control also suggests that the test wasn’t random. The UCI does have a whistle-blower program and conducts its own intelligence gathering that can result in targeted testing.
Methamphetamine is banned in competition and listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.
Proskuryakov finished 41st in time trial and did not finish the road race in Rwanda, and raced the European road championships the following week. He has the right to request B-sample analysis, and the UCI declined further comment while proceedings are ongoing.
Source URL: https://velo.outsideonline.com/news/doping-shock-as-junior-rider-tests-positive-for-meth-at-road-worlds/