Bjarne Riis

The Italian rider, Riccardo Ricco, who was ejected from the Tour de France two years ago with a 20-month ban from the sport after testing positive for CERA, the third-generation form of the human growth hormone EPO, has returned to cycling. Mark Cavendish condemned the return by saying, ‘It’s like a parasite coming back into the sport‘; Ricco may line up against Cavendish in Milan-San Remo race. From Guardian.co.uk: The 26-year-old Ricco, a specialist climber, won mountain stages of the 2008...Read Full Story

JOHANNA DECORSE Associated Press TOULOUSE, France A French appeals court has rejected Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco's bid to overturn a two-month suspended prison sentence and a fine for a doping infraction at the 2008 Tour de France. The court in Toulouse upheld the verdict handed down by a court in southwestern France in June 2010, when Ricco was found guilty of "using a poisonous substance" during the race. He was fined $4,057. Ricco tested positive for CERA, an...Read Full Story

The Associated Press The Associated Press ROME Italian rider Riccardo Ricco denies transfusing his own blood and wants to begin cycling again after meeting with the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor. Ricco was rushed to a hospital in Pavullo after feeling sick on Feb. 6. The doctor who treated him reportedly told police that Ricco admitted transfusing his own blood, which he had kept in a refrigerator. Ricco says he had a virus. If a transfusion is proven...Read Full Story

Sadly a third case of doping has been announced after just 10 days of the the Tour de France. This time it's Riccardo Ricco, a young Italian prodigy and already winner of two stages. His entire team Saunier-Duval have also withdrawn from the Tour. Apparently the substance detected is "third generation" EPO and if there is a positive note it is that tests are working - but still seem not to convince some riders. Peter-Danton de ROUFFIGNAC Sports Counselor peter-danton@orange.fr...Read Full Story

Italian rider Riccardo Ricco has reportedly said he has no intention of racing again even if cleared of doping, describing the world of professional cycling as "disgusting" that makes him "want to vomit."Read Full Story