Troubled waters in the camp of MBH Bank – CSB – Telecom Fort: the Hungarian team with Italian backing has been excluded from the Tour de Hongrie scheduled for next May.

This is the statement issued by the Hungarian race organizers: «Following the anti-doping rule violation by Bálint Makrai, the Tour de Hongrie has withdrawn the invitation extended to MBH Bank – CSB – Telecom Fort. Consequently, 18 teams will participate in the race.

According to an official statement from the International Testing Agency (ITA), Makrai tested positive on an anti-doping test conducted on March 30th (the substance in question is metandienone, an anabolic steroid, and the rider was immediately suspended by the UCI).

General Director Károly Eisenkrammer stated that the Tour de Hongrie adopts a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of doping. «The integrity of sport and fair play are more important than anything else» he emphasized.

With the exclusion of the Hungarian ProTeam, 108 riders from 18 teams will be able to compete in the stage race of ProSeries category between May 13th and 17th. Hungarian cyclists from the club not involved in the doping scandal will remain eligible for a place in the Hungarian national team».