By Greg Johnson
Hilton McMurdo has responded to the ASADA's acknowledgement of his two-year ban from Cycling Australia after a positive test at the Tour de Perth in 2007. McMurdo said he was disappointed with the time it has taken for tests to be carried out and for results to filter back to him.
"I am very disappointed with the story that has been released by ASADA," said McMurdo. "I tested positive to testosterone or a testosterone hormone on May 26, [2007, ASADA] notified me in early November. The sample was tested in Australia and was then sent to Germany for testing as it was not conclusive.
"They had the results back from Germany for a few months before notifying me there was a problem," he added. "I asked for the B sample to be tested which took 'till February to be informed. Towards the end of 2007 the A sample result was somehow leaked."
McMurdo originally intended on appealing the two-year ban he was handed, but decided not to proceed due to the expense of a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing. The 46 year-old believes medication he was taking for a back problem at the time could have caused the adverse analytical finding.
"I have spent many thousands of dollars putting my case forward but have had to stop this as it appeared to be a waste of money and any appeals were going to cost me a lot of money," he said. "I have not taken anything to enhance my performance and am gutted by this decision and the way the findings have been sensationalized."
The rider was disappointed with ASADA's announcement earlier this week, which said he had tested positive for anabolic steroids. He added that he had effectively been handed a 30-month ban, once the stripped results are taken into consideration.
"There was never any mention of anabolic steroids from in finding reports from any of the labs that tested the samples A and B," said McMurdo.
