Not the kind of news an athlete wants to hear. 19-year-old Hungarian rider Bálint Makrai has been provisionally suspended after returning an adverse analytical finding for a banned substance. The news was announced on Thursday by the International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed.
Makrai rides for the Italian ProTeam, MBH Bank Ballan. The team was Conti in 2025 but has been upgraded for 2026. It’s a team with a long history, beginning back at 2011–you may remember them as Team Colpack. In fact, back in 2014, Lidl-Trek Giulio Ciccone rode for them. The Italian team has so far raced in several of the top races in the country, including Milano-Torino and Strade Bianche.
Anabolic steroid
The sample was collected during an out-of-competition control on March 30. It was found to contain a metabolite of metandienone. That is an anabolic steroid banned by the good ole World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.
The PED is said to increase testosterone levels. It can also enhance muscle mass, strength and endurance. So, a real triple threat.
What’s next for Makrai and his appeal
Makrai has been notified of the result and has the right to request analysis of the B-sample. If the B-sample confirms the initial finding, or if he declines to have it tested, the case will proceed as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. He will also have the opportunity to provide an explanation for the result. (In the past, we’ve seen some creative ones, too.)
Makrai’s season thus far
In 2025, he was 5th at the Hungarian elite nationals in the road race, and fourth in the under-23 TT nationals. So far in 2026 he has raced four times, his most recent outing at the GP Slovenian Istria, where he was 96th. His teammate, Nicolò Buratti won the race.