Riccardo Ricco Tests Positive

Riccardo Ricco taking glory on stage 9 of this year's Tour

This year’s Tour has just scored a hatric – for doping that is. Today, Riccardo Ricco – who won two climbing stages last week – was taken into custody by French police after testing positive for banned substances.

The substances in question include blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) as well as banned substance CERA (Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator).

His Spanish team, Saunier-Duval, have now pulled out of the race, and all other cycling activities, until they get to the bottom of the affair.

A truly sad time for the sport. It’s just unfortunate that the world’s media are all focussed on the Tour right now. One thing is for certain though, the tests carried out for the AFLD seem to be working. So if it means a few more guys get caught to help clean the sport, then so be it.

We all love this sport and if we keep showing our support for it (through think and thin) then we’ll make it to the other side.

~ by Craig on July 17, 2008.