Italian cycling took another body blow to its image today, when news that Androni Giocattoli rider Massimo Giunti tested positive for EPO in a targeted out-of-competition test. Giunti, was on the start list for Tirreno-Adriatico, which began this morning (ready to cheat his fellow riders) but was pulled out of the race following news of his positive result for the illegal blood-booster.
The World Anti-doping Agency reported a positive finding for EPO in a urine test carried out on February 23. They suspected Mr Giunti due to irregularities detected under the biological passport programme.
Giunti who has never won a race in his 11 year pro career, he was second in the 2007 Route du Sud and in 2009 was 3rd overall in the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali, fourth in the General Classification Settimana Ciclista Lombarda, fifth in the Giro dell’Appennino and third in the GP Città di Camaiore. ALL these results now must be view with suspicion. Another career and reputation destroyed.
Recently he finished fourth on stage four of last month’s Giro di Sardegna. The result was obtained using EPO as it came just three days after his positive control was taken. Proving that all the drugs in the world don’t make a champion.
His team boss, Gianni Savio was shocked at the news despite two positive returns from riders on his team during 2009. At 35 years old, thankfully it is another rider from the ‘old’ peloton gone, to be forgotten.
Shut the door on your way out-
Comments
mikroos 11.03.2010 at 08:37pm
Oh, great. Another idiot. Today I also learned of Szczepaniak brothers - Polish riders who took a sensational 1-2 in cyclocross World Cup in Tabor, Czech Republic. Both took EPO. Also today it was revealed that a Polish cross-country skiing athlete, Kornelia Marek, used the same sh*t. It's a terrible day for Polish sport :( Why are they all so stupid? Do they really believe that it's possible to cheat on biological passport and get away with doping when it's obvious that someone is going to be tested if they achieve such a great and unexpectable result? I just can't believe it.
Admin 10.03.2010 at 09:05pm
Fair point by Tweeted by marco pinotti. (Suppose we are : 1.fed up with the dopers and 2. Rarely see the B sample disprove the non negative finding) "wow! i'm shocked to see that Giunti has been fired before his b-sample has been opened! surely these incidents should be treated as innocent until proven guilty?.............................................................................................................. GOT YA (next tweet reads): marcopinotti for everybodies information, i was being very sarcastic!
Palo B. 10.03.2010 at 08:24pm
Why my countrymen still drugs? The way is natural.
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