Piepoli, Ricco sacked by team over doping

Fri, Jul 18 09:52 PM

NIMES, France (Reuters) - Italians Leonardo Piepoli and Riccardo Ricco were kicked out of the Saunier Duval cycling team on doping grounds, the team said on Friday.

"(Team manager) Mauro Gianetti has lost faith in them and he decided to fire them from the team," David Garcia, a spokesman for Saunier Duval, told Reuters.

It was announced on Thursday that Ricco tested positive for the blood-boosting drug EPO on the fourth stage of this year's Tour de France. Piepoli and the rest of the team were subsequently withdrawn.

Gianetti said he knew of no failed test by Piepoli but was unhappy with the rider's answers when questioned.

"I did not manage to obtain convincing answers from him and I no longer want to have doubts. If I have made a mistake I will pay the consequences," the team manager told Italy's Rai television.

"We have not received any communication about a positive test by Piepoli. I did not get a positive feeling to have the same faith in him I had a few days ago."

Piepoli has made no comment.

Ricco is to be presented before an investigating judge later on Friday.

"He will be heard by investigating judge Elyse Yamani in a moment," state prosecutor Antoine Leroy told a press conference in Foix.

"It could last a few hours."

Under recent French legislation, Ricco is criminally liable for possession and use of drugs and faces a maximum two years in prison as well as a 3,750 Euro ($5,943) fine.

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