21 replies to this topic Post Order

[thysmeades]

What a joke, read in order

1

http://www.cyclingne...-without-doping

Italian set to return to Grand Tours in 2011

Riccardo Riccò (Vacansoleil-DCM) has said that it is possible to win the Giro d’Italia without doping. In 2010, Riccò and his then Ceramica Flaminia team were not invited to the Giro but the Italian is set to make his return to the race in May. Last season was his first back in the peloton after testing positive for CERA at the 2008 Tour de France.

“The Giro is my primary objective,” Riccò told dhnet.be. “Of course I want to win it, but a place on the podium would already be a good result. It’s hard, very, very hard, but we say that every time. In Italy there are an awful lot of difficult climbs and they put more in every time, but it’s the riders who make the race.

“And yes, winning the Giro without doping is possible. To do that, you have to work and do your job properly.”

This winter, Riccò began his Giro preparation by collaborating with the late Aldo Sassi and his team at the Mapei Centre in Castellanza. In spite of Sassi’s untimely death in December, Riccò is continuing to avail of the centre’s facilities and expertise.

“Unfortunately, Aldo is dead, but his spirit lives on at the Mapei Centre,” Riccò explained. “I’m now working with people who have collaborated with him for the past fifteen years and who use his methods.”

Riccò acknowledged that his collaboration with Sassi was born partially of a desire to boost his credibility but he insisted that the opportunity to follow a structured training programme was his primary motivation for working at the facility.

“Working with Sassi did a lot of good for my image, it’s true, but above all I want to get results from it,” Riccò said. “Before that, I trained according to feel, whereas now I have a precise programme, plans and a method of preparation. They analyse and correct what I do. I’m busy writing a new chapter of my career.”

Riccò will kick off his 2011 campaign at the GP La Marseillaise and will follow a busy spring schedule as he builds towards the Giro.

“I’ll ride the Tour of the Mediterranean and then the Algarve, before Paris-Nice, Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Catalonia, Amstel and the two Ardennes classics,” Riccò said.

As Riccò’s Vacansoleil-DCM squad has secured a ProTeam licence for 2011, a return to the Tour de France for the first time since his exclusion three years ago is a possibility, although he said that for now his attentions were fixed firmly on Italy in May. “We’ll see how things are after the Giro,” Riccò explained.

2

http://www.cyclingne...-kidney-ailment

Italian remains under observation

Italian cyclist Riccardo Riccò suffered a sudden illness after a training ride on Sunday afternoon and was taken to the hospital, according to reports in La Gazzetta di Modena. Riccò's father spoke of "kidney failure", but the 27-year-old Italian's ailment has not yet been confirmed.

After being admitted to a hospital in Pavullo, Italy, Riccò's condition worsened necessitating a transfer to S.Agostino-Estense. The Italian climber's condition has improved, but he remains under observation.

A press release was issued by S.Agostino-Estense stating, "Following an illness yesterday afternoon, Riccardo Riccò has been hospitalised in Baggiovara. His condition, initially critical, is improving. As a matter of prudence, the prognosis is reserved."

Another statement will be issued at 5 p.m. on Tuesday providing an update regarding his condition.

The Italian climber returned to racing in March of 2010 with the Flaminia Ceramica team having served his ban from a positive test for CERA at the 2008 Tour de France. Riccò later transferred to the Vacansoleil team on September 1 on which he concluded his 2010 season.

Riccò remains on the Dutch Vacansoleil-DCM for 2011, which has moved from Professional Continental to ProTeam status this year.

Riccò has raced once this season thus far, making his racing debut at France's Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise on January 30th where he finished in seventh place.

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3

http://www.cyclingne...or-blood-doping

Vacansoleil rider reportedly admitted to transfusing his own blood

Italian police have confirmed that Riccardo Riccò is embroiled in an investigation for doping after he was rushed to hospital on Sunday in critical condition.

The Italian news agency ANSA has reported that police have already obtained Riccò’s medical records.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the doctor who treated Riccò told police that he was in a state of shock and said, “in the presence of his wife [ed. actually his fiancé Vania Rossi], that he had done a blood transfusion that he had kept in the fridge at home for 25 days.” He was apparently worried about “the poor conservation of the blood he put back in.”

Riccò is still in hospital but could soon be questioned by police. Under Italian law he could face between three months and three years in jail for doping offences.

On a sporting level a second guilty verdict could lead to him being banned for life. He served a 20 month ban after testing positive for EPO CERA during the 2008 Tour de France.

[thysmeades]

oops sorry, I see there is already a "snake" thread..

[Gravity]

Fail

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

Man, he will NEVER learn his lesson.... This time, it damn near killed him.... Lay off the dope and transfusions buddy!

[bontie]

Are we allowed to say - CHOP, TJOP or similar? soos in kotelet (aldus die WAT)

What an idiot! Bianchi should distance themselves from this guy asap - All theri promo material has references to how they worked with him in developing the Oltre...

[American Flyers]

Ban him for life! He knows he will not get to podium without drugs....

[SwissVan]

Laugh my forkin nut off.....
NO comments from the troll clan here yet, neither on the snake thread http://www.thehubsa....9-once-a-snake/ ?

[thysmeades]

Ricco still in hospital
Lying low no doubt, suspended from team. Things not lookin to shiny for him. Maybe a little jail time on the cards as well.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

thysmeades, on 15 February 2011 - 07:56 , said:

Ricco still in hospital
Lying low no doubt, suspended from team. Things not lookin to shiny for him. Maybe a little jail time on the cards as well.

Hmm yeah, but kidney failure is not something you recover from overnight - I just hope he hasnt done himself some serious long term kidney damage - whatever the reasons, kidney failure is deadly serious and can be terminal, youth is still on his side so, yeah, hope again he sorts himself out.

[TNT1]

GrumpyOldGuy, on 15 February 2011 - 09:54 , said:

Hmm yeah, but kidney failure is not something you recover from overnight - I just hope he hasnt done himself some serious long term kidney damage - whatever the reasons, kidney failure is deadly serious and can be terminal, youth is still on his side so, yeah, hope again he sorts himself out.

I read a report somewhere and one of his doctors was saying he's out of immediate danger but that there will be permanent damage.

[Reg Lizard]

Snake where

[Lucky Luke.]

No Giro podium for Ricco but definitely a shoe-in for a Darwin Award.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

TNT1, on 17 February 2011 - 05:34 , said:

I read a report somewhere and one of his doctors was saying he's out of immediate danger but that there will be permanent damage.

Yeah, I imagine that would be inevitable. I however think he is a troubled young man, I cant imagine someone in a clear state of mind doing what he did - hopefully he can pull himself together and move forward in a positive manner now.

[splat]

Ricco wants to make a comeback!

Italian suggests his illness was caused by a virus

Riccardo Riccò has announced he intends to make a comeback, insisting he has a right to race just like other riders embroiled in alleged doping scandals.

“I still feel like a rider and I want to race again,” he told the Italian ANSA news agency. “I’ve got nothing to hide. I’m looking for a team that will allow me to carry out my profession again.”

Italian police are still investigating what caused Riccò’s illness, after the doctor who first treated him in the Emergency Room reportedly claimed that the Italian rider had admitted to undergoing a blood transfusion. Riccò again denied any wrong doing.

“I don’t remember anything about when I was taken to hospital. I was more dead than alive,” he said.

“They’ve only told me I had a virus. The doctor will have to explain what he said.”

From cyclingnews.com

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I think the guy hears those little voices in his head increasingly too often.

I read somewhere a few weeks ago he quit cycling and took up a position as a barman somewhere, said he was happy earning 1000 euros and not having all the issues related to pro cycling on his shoulders.

I actually thought, "Hey" the guy has learned something and good luck, I hope it works out. Now he changes his mind again.!

As I said, I think those little voices are getting louder, I think he is a disturbed young man.