by Rod Hughes

The Costa Rican Cycling Federation may be a trifle slow, does not fool around when it comes to doping. The board has suspended bicyle racer Juan Carlos Rojas for two years after he tested positive for using a prohibited substance in the Tour of El Salvador last April. Rojas was a member of the local Cogeas team.

Competitive cycling has been extremely vigilant about use of performance-enhancing drugs since a previously mediocre Tour of France competitor suddenly became a leader a few years ago, only to collapse and die during the race. The autopsy revealed he had taken a chemical to increase performance and had simply driven his body past all reasonable limits.

Rojas will be unable to race until Sept. 14, 2009. He did not appear to present a defense before the board last Friday when the decision was handed down.