South African cyclist S’annara Grove provisionally suspended for failed doping test

Lausanne, Switzerland (AP) — South African cyclist S’annara Grove has been provisionally suspended due to an adverse doping test result, announced the International Testing Agency on Friday. The agency disclosed that Grove’s sample taken on July 28 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow tested positive for ipamorelin, a prohibited synthetic peptide utilized to boost natural growth hormone production.

Prohibited both in and out of competition, ipamorelin stimulates the body’s natural growth hormone generation. Grove, who did not secure a medal in her track cycling events during the Commonwealth Games, has been notified of the case and retains the right to appeal the provisional suspension. The 32-year-old cyclist, representing South Africa in the upcoming Tour of Britain's third stage, is not a medalist from the Commonwealth Games.

She remains silent on the ITA’s announcement, while her team, Smurfit Westrock, and South Africa's team await response. The third stage of the race took place on Friday. Grove had been slated to compete at the road world championships in Montreal in September.