Ricco files CAS appeal over doping ban

Eurosport - Mon, 17 Nov 16:35:00 2008

Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco has filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his two-year doping ban after being kicked off the Tour de France for failing a drugs test.

CYCLING FILE PHOTO Saunier Duval team rider Riccardo Ricco of Italy leaves the anti-doping control after the finish of the ninth stage of the 95th Tour de France cycling race. Ricco would later test positive for EPO - 0

Ricco, 24, was suspended from riding by the Italian National Olympic Committee in July after admitting to using banned blood-booster EPO. He was kicked off the Tour de France and sacked by his Saunier-Duval team after testing positive following the fourth stage time-trial.

He initially protested his innocence but following a meeting with CONI officials, he admitted to his offence, even criticising testing procedures because he had passed many tests despite being doped.

"The athlete requests the reduction of the suspension on the basis of his collaboration with the competent authorities in this matter," the CAS said in a statement, adding that it would probably deliver a verdict in four months' time.

AFP / Eurosport

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  1. i hope he neva comes bk, he was very talented but 2 me it does he does not seem 2 care he took drugs and just owned up 2 try 2 get a shorter sentence. in my opion it shud b 2 years if u own up nd corrorpate and 4 years if you dnt.

    From hamishhore, on Mon 17 Nov 7:30PM

  2. just take your damn medicine ricco. you could have been one of the great climbers and one of the new cycling starts.
    now you're just a doper. take two years off, by then maybe everyone will have forgotten enough to get behind you again.

    From the FISH, on Mon 17 Nov 5:23PM
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