Cyclist Koren handed 2-year 'Operation Aderlass' doping ban

Paris - Slovenian cyclist Kristijan Koren was handed a two-year ban on Wednesday "for anti-doping rule violations committed in 2011 and 2012", becoming the latest athlete to be ensnared by the 'Operation Aderlass' investigation.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) said that fellow Slovenian rider Borut Bozic, who retired in 2018 before joining the Bahrain-Merida team as sports director, was also similarly sanctioned for violations in 2012.

Both men had been provisionally suspended in May.

Koren, 32, was riding for Italian team Liquigas in 2011 and 2012 but currently competes for Bahrain-Merida.

"Both cases have been resolved via an acceptance of consequences as provided for by the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules," said a UCI statement.

"Both resolutions can be appealed by the competent National Anti-Doping Organisation and the World Anti-Doping Agency."

'Operation Aderlass' -- German for 'bloodletting' -- is the name given to the probe that has involved numerous athletes in the worlds of skiing and cycling.