Bahrain Victorious talent returns positive doping test and is suspended by his own team

Bruttomesso was still competing in the Lidl Deutschland Tour in August and is under contract with Bahrain Victorious for three years. That contract has one year remaining, though of course this could very well be the end of the road for the rider.

In a press release, Bahrain Victorious stated that it has been informed of the situation and that, for the time being, it stands behind its rider. "The team supports Alberto throughout the process and will cooperate with all relevant anti-doping authorities as the matter is being investigated."

"As long as this matter remains unresolved, Alberto will be suspended from all team activities until there is a clear and final ruling from the relevant anti-doping authorities," said Bahrain Victorious, which is also awaiting the results of subsequent tests and feedback procedures.

"Bahrain Victorious remains committed to the highest standards of integrity and to complying with the established anti-doping procedures. Until those procedures are completed, the team will not issue any further statements," the statement continues.

Bruttomesso is known as a talented sprinter, although in his early years with Bahrain Victorious he primarily served as a support rider. Whenever he had the chance to race on his own, the Italian has already secured several impressive podium finishes. He has yet to win a race in his career.

Miguel Ángel López must serve a four-year suspension retroactive from July 25, 2023, to July 24, 2027, after the Swiss Federal Tribunal rejected his final appeal. The UCI found him guilty of using and possessing the banned substance Menotropin during the 2022 Giro d’Italia, annulled his results from May 3, 2022, to July 25, 2023, and imposed a large fine.

López, a successful climber with Grand Tour stage wins and podiums, had argued the evidence from Spain’s anti-doping agency (CELAD) was unlawfully obtained and that the fine—70% of his 2022 income—was invalid. Both CAS (May 2025) and the Swiss Federal Tribunal (August 19) upheld the UCI’s decision, ruling the evidence admissible and no procedural errors occurred. He remains suspended until summer 2027 and must pay the fine. Read more