The UCI and the International Testing Agency's (ITA) Cycling Division are looking into reports that Dr. Pedro Celaya participated in this week's Volta a Catalunya. Celaya was banned for life as part of USADA's reasoned decision to investigate doping by the US Postal Service team and Lance Armstrong in 2012. As part of the ban, Celaya is prohibited from attending any sporting event in an official capacity or working in the sporting community.

However, two independent witnesses came forward and told Cycling News that Zelaya was at the Volta a Catalunya for the second stage and spoke with riders, team staff, and even UCI anti-doping officials. One witness also provided a photo of the doctor during the race. While Celaya's ban does not stop him from attending sporting events as a fan or bystander, reports that he was in the team paddock and bus area before the stage 2 time trial in Bañoles sparked concern within the UCI.

Cyclingnews reached out to the UCI for comment: "The International Cycling Union (UCI) is aware of reports that Pedro Celaya, who is serving a lifetime suspension for anti-doping rule violations, is competing at the Vuelta a Catalunya. All information in our possession has been provided to the ITA Cycling Unit, which will further investigate this matter on behalf of the UCI," the governing body told Cycling News.

Celaya's ban was formalized in 2014. His initial eight-year ban was extended to a lifetime ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to CAS in June of that year for a longer ban against US Postal coach Jose Marti, Johan Bruyneel, and Zelaya.

In its ruling, CAS stated: "From 1997 to 2007, Mr. Bruyneel, Mr. Marti, and Mr. Seraya, with Mr. Bruyneel at the height of numerous doping violations and Mr. Marti and Mr. Seraya as integral participants in this extensive and systematic doping program, elaborate and highly successful doping scheme.

"The CAS Panel unanimously concluded that a lifetime suspension was the appropriate sanction for Mr. Bruyneel and Mr. Zelaya, and a 15-year period of ineligibility was appropriate for Mr. Marti.