Ricco given two-year ban for doping

Eurosport - Thu, 02 Oct 19:18:00 2008

Italian rider Riccardo Ricco has been banned for two years after testing positive for the blood booster EPO in this year's Tour de France.

CYCLING 2008 Ricco - 0

The ban, imposed by a CONI tribunal, was harsher than expected as prosecutors had asked for a reduced 20-month suspension after Ricco admitted his guilt.

"I'm very disappointed and bitter, I expected more understanding," Ricco said after the hearing. "But I did wrong and it's right that I pay."

The 25-year-old tested positive in a doping control after the fourth stage of July's three-week race. He initially protested his innocence after the failed test but then admitted taking the banned substance.

He was kicked out of the Tour and sacked by his Saunier-Duval team, who also left the race.

A CONI statement said Ricco had been suspended for 18 months for taking banned substances and a further six months for consorting with Carlo Santuccione, a doctor accused of supplying doping products to athletes.

Coni said the ban would run until July 30, 2010.

Ricco, who won two Tour stages before his departure and was second in May's Giro d'Italia, also faces a criminal investigation in France for possession and use of drugs.

His lawyers said they were considering appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a softer sentence.

"I think we'll appeal to CAS," Alessandro Sivelli said. "It's disconcerting. Ricco's honesty has not been rewarded. If he'd stayed quiet, the outcome would probably have been the same."

Compatriot Leonardo Piepoli was sacked by Saunier-Duval at the same time as Ricco despite passing a drugs test. Team officials said they were unhappy with his answers when he was questioned about doping.

Piepoli appeared before the CONI prosecutor in July but said he had been heard as a witness only.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. You have luck, i will give you life time ban. You're a shame for this sport, shame on you and everybody who love him.

    From bobcha78, on Mon 17 Nov 10:40PM

  2. You all give cycling fans a bad name. Given your level of hatred for something beyond your control. Why even be a cycling fan? Where's the enjoyment for you? Ricco this year. It'll be someone new next year and again someone the year after that. All I read here is a bunch of no gooders spueing hatred. 4 year ban, lifetime ban!! There will always be someone cheating and doping. None of you will ever be happy. Please, find a different sport to follow and quit tareing down our beloved cycling.

    From bobcha78, on Sat 4 Oct 3:53AM

  3. He should be an example for future starlets.
    Crucify him on top of Alpe d'Huez.
    Slash his abdomen for the vultures to feed off his entrails and let his tainted blood wash down the 21 hairpins in the rain.
    And in years to come, as we haul ourselves past, engraved into the tarmac at the remains of his feet should read "My name is Ricco, cheat of cheats: Look on my works, ye cyclist, and despair!".

    From p, on Fri 3 Oct 2:20PM

  4. Snake in the grass, a good reason to bring rotten eggs onto the climbs in 2010, that's if any team will go near this miscreant. Blatant cheating like this deserves a life ban.

    From Michael M, on Fri 3 Oct 10:51AM

  5. it shud b 4 years i think

    From hamishhore, on Thu 2 Oct 7:17PM

  6. amazing isn't it - his comments defy belief " i expected more understanding " - understanding what ? that he is a drug cheat who would have admitted nothing if not caught ? they take these illegal drugs to cheat and after being caught and having no chance of escape - try to get their sentence reduced by admitting to something that has already been scientifically proven ? stupidity is international - that's for sure.

    From miguel b, on Thu 2 Oct 6:07PM

  7. Agree. Ricco let everyone down, especially the tifosi. Sella the same. They deserve lengthy bans

    From sarah s, on Thu 2 Oct 4:22PM

  8. Agree with benjoycespain.
    The only way to stop these people is to show no tolerance.

    From Tim S, on Thu 2 Oct 4:16PM

  9. Ricco had nothing better to do in the summer so he thought he would test the testers by taking CERA and entering the TDF. Well he got caught and for the sheer arrogance of the boy he deserves the ban and is lucky it's not longer

    From Alien Life Form, on Thu 2 Oct 2:56PM

  10. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN BANNED FOR LIFE,

    From ben, on Thu 2 Oct 2:41PM

  11. Ricco's an arrogant little weasel and I hope no team would want to touch him with a bargepole. He certainly won't be missed by true cycling fans.

    Why the hell would he expect more understanding?!?! He's a poisonous cheat and that's that. Good riddance to bad rubbish!

    From dmdweb.co.uk, on Thu 2 Oct 2:36PM
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