Italian Cyclist Appeals Ban
The Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco, recently banned for two years, has appealed his two-year ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ricco tested positive for CERA, an advanced version of blood booster EPO, after winning two stages of this years tour.
After the results came through, Ricco admitted using performance enhancing drugs and was hoping for a reduction in the ban. It was reduced by 6 months, however, it was then extended by 6 months due to him seeing a physician who had already been banned for doping violations.
The ban is currently not due to expire until July 2010, leaving him out of the current Tour and the future events in the next two years.
Another positive test after this would most likely result in a life long ban from competitive sports. Substances like CERA, dianabol and HGM are banned and should not be used by any competing athlete.









