NZ cyclist fails drug test again

New Zealand cyclist Karl Murray faces ‘‘a significant ban from all sport’’ after committing a second doping violation.

The Sports Tribunal of New Zealand revealed that Murray tested positive for the anabolic agent clenbuterol at the Tour of Northland on March 18.

It comes after Murray received a two-year ban for his first anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) in New Caledonia back in 2014, following a positive test for nandrolone and testosterone.

Clenbuterol, which is prohibited in and out of competition, is favoured by athletes who wish to be lean or have lower body fat, without bulking up.

Analysis of Murray’s B sample confirmed the finding of the A sample. He remains subject to a provisional ban until the Court of Arbitration for Sport releases it decision but could be suspended for four years.

‘‘Our message is very clear. The use of prohibited substances in sport will not be tolerated,’’ Drug Free Sport NZ chief executive Nick Paterson said.

‘‘Those who choose to go against the spirit of sport are not only doing themselves a disservice, but undermining the efforts of other athletes – in this case his competitors in the Tour of Northland. We owe it to our clean athletes, the viewing public and society at large to catch these drug cheats.

‘‘Mr Murray clearly did not learn the lessons from his first ADRV, and he now faces a significant ban from all sport. There is also the wider implication of using prohibited substances and that’s the potential damage to his long-term health.’’