UCI announced that Matteo Spreafico (Vini Zabu-Brado-KTM) submitted two Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) in the Giro d'Italia.

The selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) enobosam, also known as ostarine, was detected in two samples taken on October 15 and 16 (stage 12 Cesenatico and stage 13 Monselice).

The 27-year-old from Italy "has the right to request and attend" the analysis of the B sample, the UCI said in a statement. Spreafico was provisionally suspended and left the race in 127th place overall after Thursday's 18th stage.

Enobosarm is an investigational SARM developed for the treatment of osteoporosis and muscle weakness symptoms. SARMs, including enobosarm, have been on WADA's banned list under "other anabolic agents" since 2008.

The substance is not approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which warns that its use can cause serious side effects, ranging from heart attacks to liver damage.

Weight loss and muscle gain are among the claimed effects of enobosam, which produces anabolic steroid-like effects. Former athletes Nikita Novikov and Cale Leogrande are among those who have tested positive for ostarine in the past.

The UCI stated: "Meanwhile, Vini Zabou Blad-KTM told Cycling News that the team has "nothing to say at this time."

Spreafico, who won the 2018 Vuelta a Venezuela, had just joined the team in August from Androni Giocattoli Cidermec, making his Giro debut after four years as a professional.

His case was the first positive test to come to light in the Giro since Davide Apollonio tested positive for EPO in the 2015 race, but the news came to light after the race. Last year, Bahrain-Merida's Kristijan Koren was excluded from the race after it came to light that he was involved in the Operation Adelas scandal. He was subsequently banned from the race for two years.

Vini Zabou-Blado-KTM was the most prominent of the three wildcard teams in this year's Giro, entering the breakaway on 12 of the 18 stages and finishing fifth and second on stages 2 and 3.

The team has been present since 2009 under various name sponsors, Danilo di Luca and Mauro Sant'Ambrosio (EPO in the 2013 Giro), Matteo Rabottini (EPO in 2014), Ramon Carretero (EPO in 2015), Samuel Conti (GHRP-2 in 2016), and several other doping cases over the years.

In other anti-doping news, Edgar Pinto of Portugal's Continental team W52-Porto was included on the provisional suspension list updated today by the UCI. The 35-year-old was suspended for "use of prohibited methods and/or substances" in late 2019, as was his former teammate Raul Alarcón, a two-time Volta a Portugal winner.