Italian Rider Valentino Fois of Amore e Vita Team Found Dead
ROME, March 28, 2008 (AFP) - Italian rider Valentino Fois, a former teammate of deceased champion Marco Pantani, has been found dead at his home near Bergamo, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Friday.
The 34-year-old Fois, who turned professional in 1996, was arrested in 1998 for doping after testing positive twice during the Tour of Switzerland and the Tour of Poland.
He was suspended for three years in 2002 while he rode for the Mercato Uno team of Pantani, who died of a drug overdose four years ago.
The cause of Fois’ death is unknown. He was found by his mother with whom he lived.
Fois made his return to professional cycling last November by signing for the “Amore e Vita” team.
Two months earlier he had been sentenced to 100 days in prison, which was reduced to a 4,000 euro fine, for stealing two portable computers from a local newspaper.
In an interview he blamed the incident on the fact that he had taken to drinking because of not competing for so long.
He admitted trying cocaine and suffering from depression and anxiety, for which he was receiving treatment.
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