The UCI announced Wednesday that it has banned Jarlinson Pantano for four years after the Colombian returned a positive test for recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) in February 2019.

"The International Cycling Union (UCI) is pleased to announce that the UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal (Tribunal) has issued a decision in the case concerning Mr. Jarlinson Pantano Gomez," a brief statement from the sport's governing body said.

"The Tribunal found the athlete guilty of an anti-doping rule violation (presence of recombinant erythropoietin) and imposed a four-year suspension period on him.

"In accordance with the Tribunal's rules of procedure, this decision will be published shortly on the UCI website."

Pantano, a member of the Trek-Segafredo team, was cited with an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for blood-enhancing drugs in an out-of-competition doping control conducted by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) on February 26 and last April He was suspended by the team in April.

The positive test came two days after he finished 20th in the final stage of the Tour du Haut Var. His last race with Trek-Segafredo was the Volta a Catalunya last March.

Initially silent about the positive test, Pantano later issued a public statement on social media, saying he hoped the matter would be resolved. He was expected to request an analysis of the B sample.

Pantano, who denied using performance enhancing substances, announced his retirement from the sport in June.

Pantano, now 31, turned pro in 2012 with the pro continental team Colombia-Cordeportes, rising to the world tour level with two-year contracts with IAM Cycling in 2-15 and 2016 before joining Trek-Segafredo in 2017.