The ITA notifies road cyclist Wehbi Abdullah of an apparent anti-doping rule violation
The International Testing Agency (ITA), leading an independent anti-doping program for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), confirms that it has notified Iraqi rider Wehbi Abdullah of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for stanozolol.
The ITA reports that a sample from the rider collected during an in-competition testing mission conducted by the ITA during the 2026 Tour of Sharjah on 27 January 2026 returned an AAF¹ for stanozolol.
The substance is listed under class S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. It is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is classified as non-specified substance. Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid that promotes lean muscle growth and enhances strength.
The rider has been informed of the case and has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The rider will have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result.
Further, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and Article 7.4.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed on the rider. The rider has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for its lifting.
Pursuant to the UCI’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments made.
The original press release can be found here: https://ita.sport/news/the-ita-notifies-road-cyclist-wehbi-abdullah-of-an-apparent-anti-doping-rule-violation/
