GreenEdge: Yates positive case resulted from paperwork error

AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) British cyclist Simon Yates can continue to race despite a positive doping test during the Paris-Nice race, the International Cycling Union said Friday.

An administrative error has been blamed by the Orica GreenEdge team for the positive test on March 12 for Terbutaline, in the form of an asthma inhaler that former track world champion Yates used as part of documented ongoing treatment.

''As per the UCI's anti-doping rules, such substance does not entail the imposition of a provisional suspension,'' the governing body said in a statement.

Orica GreenEdge released a statement on Friday saying it was notified last week about the 23-year-old Yates' case, and that the inhaler was noted by a team doctor on doping control forms.

But the team said the doctor erred by not formally applying for a therapeutic use exemption for the substance, and so the positive result was flagged by anti-doping authorities.

''This is solely based on a human error that the doctor in question has taken full responsibility for,'' Orica GreenEdge said in the statement. ''There has been no wrong-doing on Simon Yates' part.

''The team takes full responsibility for this mistake, and wishes to underline their support for Simon during this process.''

The Orica GreenEdge statement was released in the wake of a brief British Cycling confirmation that a rider tested positive during a race. British Cycling did not identify the rider, or the race, and said the UCI was handling the case.

Orica GreenEdge said it was concerned by the leak of information, and would make no further comment until a full evaluation of the case, ''and evidence that the team and Simon Yates are now submitting to the UCI in order to clarify everything.''

Yates can request for the backup sample to be analyzed.

In 2013, Yates won gold in the points race at the track world championships in Minsk, Belarus. He finished seventh in the weeklong Paris-Nice race.

The doping announcement was the second blow for British Cycling this week following the resignation of technical director Shane Sutton while he was being investigated for allegedly making discriminatory remarks to riders. He denies wrongdoing and awaits a hearing.

An independent review into allegations of bullying and discrimination at British Cycling will conclude after the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in September.

British Cycling and UK Sport announced Friday that Annamarie Phelps, the head of British Rowing, will lead the review.

The organizations said in a statement: ''Specific questions/issues to be covered by the review: Are there fundamental behavioral issues within the climate and culture of British Cycling world class program? If so, what are they and what recommendations can be made on how they should be addressed?''