Italian Climber Emanuele Sella Fails UCI Drug Test
ROME, Aug 5, 2008 (AFP) - Italian cyclist Emanuele Sella, who won three
stages at this year’s Tour of Italy, has failed an International Cycling Union
(UCI) drugs test, according to reports here on Tuesday.
Sella, who rides for the CSF team, tested positive for the banned blood
booster EPO (erythropoietin) in an out-of-competition test on July 23.
The 27-year-old would not be drawn into commenting on the control, telling
the ANSA news agency: “I know nothing of this story. Nothing has been said to
me. Nothing is true.”
Sella, a specialist climber, put in an excellent performance in May’s Giro,
powering home in the mountainous 14th, 15th and penultimate stages, to place
sixth in the overall standings.
But it was that strong showing - together with high finishes from
team-mates Fortunato Baliani (seventh) and Domenico Pozzovivo (12th) - that
raised the suspicions of doping officials.
Sella’s countryman Ricardo Ricco was kicked off the Tour de France and
sacked by his team for failing a drugs test, also for EPO.
Photo by: CorVos Pro
Categories: Doping, Features
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