CONI suspends Riccò

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) suspended Riccardo Riccò on Thursday after the former Saunier Duval rider admitted to using a new version of the banned red-blood-cell-booster EPO.

Riccò was ejected from the Tour de France on July 17 following news that he had tested positive for a Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator (CERA), a drug produced by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche and sold under the name of Micera. His remaining teammates also withdrew in advance of that day’s stage and the team’s title sponsor subsequently withdrew its support. The team has since reorganized as Scott USA-American Beef.

While Riccò initially denied using the drug, he admitted to his offense in a meeting with CONI officials on Wednesday, even criticizing testing procedures because he had passed many tests despite being doped.

The panel has not yet determined the duration of Riccò’s ban, but he is likely to face a two-year suspension. Riccò also faces criminal charges in France and a possible civil suit in the case.

On Wednesday Riccò said he took full responsibility for his decision, adding that it was not part of a team-wide program.

“Before the Tour I made a mistake,” Riccò said “I took the substance that many people were talking about (CERA).”

Riccò’s former Saunier-Duval teammate Leonardo Piepoli was also due to be interviewed by CONI on Thursday. Piepoli, the apparent winner of the Tour’s 10th stage, didn’t fail any doping tests at the race, but was also fired by his team for breaking its ethics code.

FILED UNDER: Road / Tour de France TAGS: Tour de France