Riccò Dumps Rossi

What a guy! Riccardo Riccò has totally distanced himself from his girlfriend, Vania Rossi, and mother of their 7 month old son, saying, "I'm disappointed with my girlfriend and there can be no reconciliation until Vania is shown to be innocent of the allegations that were raised." Riccò himself is nearing the end of an eighteen month suspension for his own use of CERA, the same substance which his cyclocrossing girlfriend recently tested postive for.

This occurs after Riccò's team, Ceramica Flaminia, was the only Italian Pro Continental team not to be invited to any of the big Italain races on the calendar for March. Rumors were also swirling that the team was not going to be invited to the Giro d'Italia.

Photo: Rossi and Riccò in happier days

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Vania Rossi, Companion of Riccardo Riccò, Positive for CERA

I dislike writing about doping but here we go....

Vania Rossi, professional cyclocross racer and companion of banned cyclist Riccardo Riccò, has tested positive for CERA, the same substance Riccò was found to have used at the 2008 Tour de France. The positive is from January 10th when Rossi (Centro Sportivo Esercito) raced in the Italian national cyclocross championship (Campionato Italiano di Ciclocross) where she finished second. Riccò and Rossi had a baby within the last few months.

Riccò, whose ban ends on March 19, 2010, is now on the Flaminia-Bossini team.

He was interviewed last week by the Gazzetta dello Sport in an article entitled, "Riccò, loved and hated". Riccò says in the interview, "I have been in purgatory, everyone is given a second chance." To which a fan commented, "A second chance?! For him it's the third chance, remember he was banned as a dilettante also...he's doped his whole life!".

With his life companion now testing positive for the same substance we should be waking up tomorrow, and the weeks ahead, to some interesting stories.

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.