After being tested with a too high hematocrit at the recent world championships in Les Gets, Spanish Rider José Antonio Hermida has passed additional doping controls. On September 29th, UCI has confirmed that Hermida is clean and his increased hematocrit is based on natural reasons. UCI intends to issue Hermida a certificate for having a naturally high hematocrit.
José Antonio Hermida has protested his innocence from the beginning on. He was one of the top favourites for the world championships until he got suspended for 15 days the day before the men's competition - unrightfully, as it shows now. Hermida will start his preparations for the season 2005 in december after a short break. His goals are 2005's world championships in Livigno, where he will look for revenge for the injustice he faced this year.
For 2005, the spanish rider continues to race for the Multivan-Merida Biking Team, which has been supporting him during the matter of the too high hematocrit from the start. Hermida is one of the top racers of the team and one of the world's best mountainbike racers.
