Irish cyclist Jason Crowe has been banned from competition for nine months as a result of a positive drugs test which was carried out on August 17th after the Tour of Armagh. The 23 year-old, who has been attached to the UCD and St Tiernan's clubs, tested positive for the analbolic agent Nandrolone and as a result of the ban he will miss a large part of next season.

Recently returned from Italy where he had been racing, Crowe's case was heard on Monday night and the Federation of Irish Cyclists announced their decision yesterday afternoon.