Podium Cafe (Free subscription) | 12/01/2009
The local newspaper in Padova reported last week that the procura in Padova has opened a preliminary investigation into the possibility that Danilo Di Luca committed sporting fraud during the 2009 Giro d'Italia. Di Luca, who finished second overall, tested positive for the banned substance CERA on two occasions during the race. After deciding Di Luca's sanction, the Italian anti-doping authorities...
Euro Peloton - Pro Cycling News (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
One of the most interesting facts to come out of EP 's recent poll (results below and still time to vote!) regarding past dopers is that those riders who were contrite and apologetic seem to fare far better in the eyes of cycling fans than those that continue to lie and stonewall authorities. The question asked of EP 's readers was: "If you could eliminate one rider from professional cycling,...
Euro Peloton - Pro Cycling News (Free subscription) | 10/31/2009
Since the mass exodus of Lance Armstrong, Johan Bruyneel and a host of other talented cyclists from the Astana cycling team, the Kazakh-based squad has become a sort of refuge for riders who have had difficulty in past seasons. It seems as though many established, popular riders are staying far away from last season's most successful stage racing team, leaving management with no other choice but to...
Euro Peloton - Pro Cycling News (Free subscription) | 10/28/2009
Michael Rasmussen was on the precipice of greatness two years ago at the Tour de France before being unceremoniously booted from the race by his own team for lying about his whereabouts on a UCI form. A year later, Italian Riccardo Ricco was found positive for EPO CERA, and was likewise booted from the Tour. Both riders will return to cycling in 2010, presumably without the assistance of drugs. Whether...
VeloNews (Free subscription) | 10/27/2009
The former team of disgraced cheaters Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli rolls on in 2010, surviving a difficult struggle to try to erase the doping stigma from its name. The former Saunier Duval squad will continue in 2010 thanks to the arrival of the new title sponsor Footon. “It’s important because we’ve been able to continue the team,” team manager Joxean Fernández...
cyclingnews.com (Free subscription) | 10/22/2009
The International Cycling Union (UCI) reduced Riccardo Riccò's doping suspension from 24 to 20 months today, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport . The sport's governing body followed the decision made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in March. Italy's Riccò tested positive for blood booster Erythropoietin (EPO) CERA July 8 at the 2008 Tour de France. The French anti-doping...
VeloNews (Free subscription) | 10/20/2009
Spanish team Fuji-Servetto will ride on in the 2010 season thanks to a new title sponsor coming on board under its new name, Footon-Servetto. The team announced Tuesday the arrival of new title sponsor, Footon, a Swiss-based company specializing in foot insoles and other health care products. The news comes as the team’s future looked bleak. The Spanish-registered team struggled in the wake of...
cyclingnews.com (Free subscription) | 08/03/2009
In a rare sign of unity within cycling's governance, the International Cycling Union (UCI) has recognised the decisions of the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) in relation to doping tests during the 2008 Tour de France. Manuel Beltrán, Moises Dueñas, Bernhard Kohl, Stefan Schumacher, Leonardo Piepoli and Riccardo Riccò ( pictured, right ) were all caught after testing positive...
New York Times (Free subscription) | 08/01/2009
Mikel Astarloza tested positive for doping on June 26, eight days before the Tour began. Cycling’s governing body also suspended the Italian rider Riccardo Ricco.
cyclingnews.com (Free subscription) | 07/31/2009
Riccardo Riccò will appeal the 24-month suspension he received yesterday from the International Cycling Union (UCI). It said that Italy lacked jurisdiction to issue the original suspension for Riccò's doping violation at the 2008 Tour de France. "I am without words in light of this decision. It seems like a political power move," Riccò's lawyer, Alessandro Sivelli, told...
Podium Cafe (Free subscription) | 07/30/2009
The UCI has decided to extend the sanction against Riccardo Riccó from 20 months to 24 months. The Italian climber, who tested positive for CERA at last year's Tour de France, will now be eligible to ride on 17 July 2010, which means he will miss both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France next season. Riccó has already signed a contract with the Italian team Ceramica Flaminia for his...
cyclingnews.com (Free subscription) | 07/30/2009
The International Cycling Union (UCI) denied lengthening Riccardo Riccò's suspension by four months on Thursday. The Italian is serving a suspension because of a failed doping test at the 2008 Tour de France. Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on its website today that Riccò's suspension was lengthened from March 17 to July 17, 2010. "We don't know about this, the news did...
VeloNews (Free subscription) | 06/27/2009
Riccardo Riccò – Italy’s bad boy of racing – already has a team for next season when his 20-month ban for doping ends in 2010. Italian second division team Ceramica Flaminia has confirmed it has signed Riccò to a two-year contract and is expected to officially announce the news in a press conference this weekend. The 25-year-old Riccò tested positive for CERA,...
Podium Cafe (Free subscription) | 06/26/2009
Word from Tuttosport is that Riccardo Ricco signed a contract yesterday with Ceramica Flaminia, to begin March 10, 2010. His first race back will be Milan-Sanremo, should the team get an invite. I've been unable to find the story yet in Tuttosport's online edition, but it's being picked up all over--see Eurosport.fr , Sportweek.nl among others.
SI.com (Free subscription) | 03/17/2009
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco's two-year doping ban was reduced to 20 months Tuesday.
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