Szczepaniaks fail doping tests after finishing 1-2 at cyclo-cross U-23 worlds

AIGLE, Switzerland - Polish brothers Pawel and Kacper Szczepaniak have been suspended after failing doping tests upon finishing 1-2 in the under-23 Cyclo-cross World Championship race.

The International Cycling Union said Thursday they tested positive for EPO in urine samples taken after last month's race in Tabor, Czech Republic.

The UCI said the Szczepaniaks had been under suspicion because of results from blood samples taken for their biological passports.

The Szczepaniak brothers have been provisionally suspended until the Polish cycling federation conducts disciplinary hearings.

French rider Arnaud Jouffroy finished third in the under-23 worlds race, and could receive the gold medal if the Szczepaniaks are disqualified.