This is not a good news story to either start the day or end the week on. The French cycling federation (FFC) have released a statement detailing the positive test of an as-yet unnamed enduro racer.

The charge is a measly six-month ban, effective at present and finishing in March of this year. The rider in question…well they remain unnamed, simply referred to as “M….” (a French licensed racer) in the federation’s statement. The offence was at the 2011 Megavalanche on Reunion Island – a late-season event which is popular with French riders.

Details are clear – the positive result was that of hydrochlorothiazide, a masking agent – and yet incredibly, shockingly brief and protected. This is not the sort of behaviour that we expect within our friendly sport and the sort of riders willing to cheat are not the types who deserve to be helped by having their identities protected.

Click here if you can read French.

More news on the witch hunt as it comes in…