Riccardo Riccò

Riccardo Riccò ( born September 1, 1983 in Formigine, Modena ) is an Italian former racing cyclist.

Career

Even as a young rider Riccò was very successful. He was Italian Junior Champion in Cyclocross 2001. Two years later he won a stage at the Baby Giro. In the 2004 season he was Italian champion the U23 class and in 2005 won the overall ranking included two stages in Lombard week, as well as a stage of the Tour of Tuscany the U23.

2006 Riccò professional team Saunier Duval - Prodir when. In 2007 he won the Pro Tour race Tirreno- Adriatico two stages and the points classification. In addition, he wore one day the jersey of the overall leader. Subsequently, he was nominated for the Giro d' Italia and should support together with the Kletterspezalisten Leonardo Piepoli his team captain and two -time winner of the Giro Gilberto Simoni on the mountain. He won as Piepoli a mountain top finish at the end and finished 6th in the overall standings. However, denied the Saunier -Duval team leadership Riccos tour start.

In 2008, Riccò came at the Giro d' Italia as captain for his team Saunier Duval - Scott. He got two stage wins and delivered a thrilling battle with Alberto Contador for the victory. However, he lost in the final time trial nearly 2 minutes and had no chance. During the Giro he aroused resentment in the peloton by his statements, " You do not need friends to win a race " and " With a better team, I would have won the Giro. " After doping incidents at the Tour de France in 2008, he has been locked.

After his doping suspension Riccò began the 2010 season with the team Ceramica Flaminia. He won two stages of the Tour of Austria and also won the overall victory, although he crashed hard in the time trial on the penultimate day. From 1 September 2010 he was standing at Vacansoleil under contract.

The great model Riccos is, according to the late Tour and Giro winner Marco Pantani. Both are or were pure climber with the claim Grand Tours ( Giro d' Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a España) to win. Riccò was regarded as the greatest talent in Italian cycling, as were added to his climbing skills even classic skills.

Doping

In the 2007 Giro d'Italia Riccò returned after the uphill finish on Monte Zoncolan a respected as suspicious doping test, as these had abnormally low hormone levels, which may represent an indication for the use of doping masking preparations.

Riccò was tested at the 95th Tour de France in 2008 in the A sample is positive for EPO doping. He used this subject to the B sample EPO 3rd generation, namely, the preparation CERA / Micera. This third doping case of the Tour de France in 2008 led directly to the fact that the line of Riccos team Saunier Duval took all the drivers from the race. At this time the team had from the first 11 stages already can decide for themselves 3 sections, two by Riccò, who wore the mountains jersey at this time. Following the scandal, the sponsor get off with immediate effect from cycling decided. A few days after the end of the "tour" Riccò admitted his offense.

In June 2010, Riccò was convicted by a French court to a prison sentence of two months ' probation and a fine of 3,000 euros. The court thus punished the possession and drug-taking preparations during the Tour de France 2008. Riccò was then shortly after its two impressive stage wins tested positive for blood doping agent CERA. His lawyers had argued in vain that the 26 -year-old had already been sentenced in Italy to a fine of 5710 euros. He was also banned for 20 months.

6 February 2011 Riccò was admitted with acute renal failure in a hospital. The first critical condition was later assessed as stable. Two days later, he confessed to have administered an autologous transfusion with blood that he had kept for 25 days in the refrigerator. Then he might bring back his health problems. As a result, he was first suspended by his team Vacansoleil and then in June 2011 by the Italian federation (FCI) for health reasons. In October 2011, the National Olympic Committee of Italy ( CONI ) for Riccò called for a twelve -year suspension; 19 April 2012 followed this request, the National Anti -Doping Tribunal of Italy. After Riccò at the beginning of 2012 a license applied the Croatian Cycling Federation on technical grounds - he has no place of residence in Croatia - was denied, he said after the announcement of the first lock his final resignation. however, raised an appeal against the judgment before the World Court Sport Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS) with the allegation of procedural errors and partiality. The appeal was rejected on March 1, 2013 by the CAS arbitrators. The arguments Riccos are unfounded and not set forth with particularity the allegation of partiality.

Achievements

Placement in the Grand Tours

Team

• 2006 - 2008 Saunier Duval Prodir - Saunier Duval- Scott and
• 2010 Ceramica Flaminia ( to 31 August)
• 2010 Vacansoleil ( from 1 September )
• 2011 Vacansoleil - DCM ( to 19 February )
• 2011 Meridiana Kamen Team ( from 1 June )