Riccò Wins Appeal, Receives Shorter Sanction
by Jen See on Mar 17, 2009 12:48 PM EDT
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Riccardo Riccò will return to racing sooner than expected, after TAS today reduced his sanction by four months. The Italian climber originally received a 24 month ban for two doping offenses. He tested positive for CERA at the 2008 Tour de France, and he consulted the banned Dr. Santuccione. After today's decision, Riccò will now serve twenty months. He can race beginning on 18 March 2010.
The Riccò decision followed a rather convoluted path. CONI recommended an 18 month ban, after Riccò proved willing to give information. In particular, Riccò named Dr. Santuccione, infamous for his involvement in the Oil for Drugs case, as his supplier. The Italian Tribunale Nazionale for antidoping, which decides the sanctions on CONI's recommendation, chose instead to give Riccò a two year ban. This sanction still fell short of the full term for Riccò's two sins, which would have totalled 30 months. At the time of the sanctioning decision, Riccò seemed to accept his fate, saying "I was wrong, and it is just that I pay."
One month later, Riccò reversed course and decided to appeal to TAS. He filed his appeal in November, perhaps in part motivated by the short one year ban handed down to Emmanuel Sella. In particular, Riccò hoped to return in time to ride the 2010 Giro d'Italia or Tour de France. That's assuming, of course, he can find a team to hire him. Thanks to the TAS decision, he will have a license in time for both races. It remains to be seen whether he will find forgiveness and a new team to represent.
Source, tuttobiciweb.it.
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I'll take
That’s assuming, of course, he can find a team to hire him.
any bet against that. This is a sport with no room for the concept of shame. He’ll find a team.
Good call on the Simoni replacement
but he would be a good tandem with Garzelli. Pantani, Garzelli, Ricco; direct line of descent.
Odds that he already has one
I’d say about 50-50.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 17, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh that is perfectly devious...
… I can see Bruyneel making Levi ride in support of Ricco though.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Ahh... but I don't make a judgement as to his personality or character...
… I just think it’s damn unlikely that Contador sticks around after this season (if he even makes it THROUGH this season) and they’ll need to go looking for someone… and there he is… Ricco. Although it will be a question of how good he is off the sauce.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Sorry, wasn't directed at you :)
In all honesty I too would headhunt Ricco, even without the juice he should be a good climber(got that Contador acceleration) and he is outstanding when it comes to descents.
Now if only they can inject him with some brain enhancing drugs, so he would make less grave mistakes like those in last year’s TdF.
How can you tell how good he is clean
If you believe all the rumours floating around he hasn’t ridden clean since he was 14 or 15. And as for the “naturally high haematocrit”, well I’d be curious to know what it really is right now.
well give him 12 months and we'll know (or at least someone will)
As he has to enroll in the testing program 6 months before returning.
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
Well from looking at his technique :)
He doesn’t waggle on the bike like Bernhard Kohl did. And he has a great descent where power has little to say.
So it’s more a question about him having learnt to handle pain/suffer, which I think he has with those looong up hill accelerations. But on the other hand he couldn’t ride an ITT to save his life, so it’s still an open question.
(I’m not a fan, never could take his in my opinion horrid personality. Reminded me too much of Danish Michael Rasmussen)
Sort of off topic doping question
Lance tweeted that his 24th random drug test was from the French authorities – blood, urine and hair. Does each country have its own testing authorities? As long as you’re a registered rider are you subject to out of race controls by those authorities in addition to UCI testers?
Yes. But I found the French testing LA odd.
I figured that one could get tested by authorities from country of nationality, country of residence, country of pro licence. France is neither for Armstrong.
It is, however, country where he is at the moment...
…and when being tested by authorities, it helps that those authorities and you are in the same place.
The AFLD/UCI thingy on the Tour
The AFLD and the UCI haven’t resolved the testing issue on the Tour, have they? Last year before the Tour, the AFLD tested at least some of the foreign riders ahead of the Tour to try to get a profile going. Maybe that’s what’s going on right now with Armstrong. I s’pose it’s also possible that they cut some kind of dealio – ie, if you want to ride the Tour, we test.
Odd?
Really?
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 17, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Very random I'm sure
were is that eye rolling charector when you need it.
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
Yes funny thought as well
Taylor Phinney was complaining about the amount of testing he has had this year the other day too…
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
What a cowinkidink
You mean switching from team transparent to team hate cancer might result in more testing as said rider’s ability to improve continues at a fast rate?
Clarification – I have absolutely no reason to think there is an issue with Taylor Phinney’s progression in the sport.
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
I'm agreeing with you about Taylor
But it was he who found it funny, and tweeted…
then you can also look at Liz Hatch’s Tweet, Team VK has only had 2 tests in 3 years…
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
mm Liz H's tweet
now why does that sound sorta nasty….
In a good way.
by Christopher See on Mar 17, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
It does now you have mentioned it :-)
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
As Ricco's biggest fan...
I still say it’s too soon. Seems like he just ripped my heart out. Don’t know if I’ll be fully mended my March 2010.
As a former Tyler fan...
… I can gurantee it won’t. Probably not by 2015 either…
I'm going to be glad to see him back
he was a character and not boring and loved the attitude.. ohhh and his Fashion was something we all had fun talking about.
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
And that huge bunch of riders
who lived like monks, worked and trained their entire adult lives to fulfill their dreams of success , I bet they don’t think he’s boring when he launches one of those exciting spectacular attacks, juiced up to his ears. i bet they were crying with joy as they are riding on their limit watching the race slip away from them. i bet they’re positively giddy at the thought of slaving away for another year to have the pleasure of enjoying such an amazing spectacle up close and personal.
What a character that Ricco.
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Yes understand where you are coming from Jens
but the character of riders is what is needed when some riders are very boring.. thats all i meant, i don’t agree with what he did, has done, but he will have paid his dues, according to those who make the decision, so let him come back and see what his character and attitude is like..
and Ricco, was never a favourite of mine, and he took wins of some of may favourite riders, but we can’t change that now..
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
I can really respect that people wan't riders with panache.
But are we judging riders as dull and boring because they ride within their capabilities?
I will bet my last shirt that there are plenty of riders who would make spectacular moves and exciting but we only see slipping quietly out the back off the bunch as the Kohls, Schumachers, Piepolis and Riccos of the world are charging to glory at the front.
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Ohh I am not in a position to judge!
and I’ve seen plenty of riders who have made spectacular moves nearly every race, and they don’t get the glory of being at the front and being on the podium.
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
I think this is fair.
Ricco did what riders should do when they get caught doping: he confessed, and he named names. Giving a rider credit against his suspension for that kind of cooperation is good public policy.
I can’t see Ricco having much trouble getting a team for 2010. Pretty much any Italian team (other than Liquigas, which will be trying to curry favor with ASO so Basso can ride the 2010 Tour) would probably take him. Most of the non-Italian teams would likely steer clear of him, at least for the first year or two after he comes back, but Bruyneel, who snapped up as many cut-rate Operation Puerto refugees as he could get his hands in in the post-OP fire sale, would surely take Ricco if the price was right.
Although I think it is the wrong way around
Standard punishment: 1 year. No full cooperation => 2 years.
+10
I’m good with this. It’s criminal law/justice administration 101 that when someone fully cooperates, saves you HUGE costs, and demonstrates some remorse in the process, they should get an appropriate (re. small) reduction in punishment.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 17, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
But on the other hand, somehow dopers at last year’s tour seem more mendacious to me than dopers earlier. Earlier it was to some extent at least a matter of going with the flow. The moral failing looked like not having the guts to stand against the tide. I think last year the tide had very much turned, so for me the guys who were still determined to try this crap at that time were really determined cheats.
I’m ok with him coming back, and with this application of the rules, b/c I’m more or less convinced that too harsh a sanction regime will actually become unworkable and harm the sport in the long run, and that there should be an incentive to cooperate.
But man I don’t like this guy and doubt I’m going to any time soon when he comes back. Though I wasn’t a fan before either.
+1 Well said.
"It's official. For the next four years, it will be pronounced 'nuclear' " --Seth Meyers
I agree on the good public policy angle
There needs to be some incentive for a rider to cooperate and name names, but the whole point of a ban is to act as a deterrent. I am no criminologist, or whoever it is that studies such things, but 4 months off of a 24 month ban is neither an attractive deterrent or a reasonable ban, IMHO. 24 months is a slap on the wrist and a 20 months ban is a joke. I think the standard ban should be 4 years. If you coop, you get 3 years.
More Muur...
Damn Jimbo, 4 years is virtually a career ender
Sure it’s a deterrent but that’s simply too long. There are certainly going to be some guys that can handle that much unemployment, but most guys are going to be done. If you say “I don’t care, they deserve it” to that, then you may as well take the lifetime ban stance.
I have to agree way more with Jimbo on this one.
If 4 years is too long for you to sit on the bench…. then don’t fuckin’ cheat. These asshats who are still trying and thankfully being caught do deserve a serious bench sitting. I kinda like a 3 year with 2 year or so reduced look. I’m still pretty pissed about Ricco and next spring – not long enough. It’s feels like he only sat out one season because of the timing of those 20 months. 1 season out does not feel at all long enough.
That said though I accept the ruling based on what’s being done. There needs to be a reason to cooperate and not drag it out. I just wish it was longer.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
You mean like the dead penalty in Amerika?
Very succesfull with the highest murder in whole the world…
Bad comparison? Maybe
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
I'm just saying I think the ban for anyone who cheats today
should be long enough for it to feel painful. 1 season, in my opinion, is not enough of a punishment. Because I feel the motive to cheat has shifted from teams and the peloton to individual riders, I think those still wanting to do it should have serious consequences. Slaps on wrists don’t work for me. I had drawn my line with the end of 2006 and going forward from there, for me, it’s on the rider being a loser for doing it. (I do think teams need to be help accountable to more of a degree as well. Keep an eye on your riders and push the dope free stance.)
I appreciate the changes being made and I agree with reducing sentencing for those who cooperate and answer the questions asked after but I’m disappointed that the view is kind of like, well, we have to be fair in letting the cheaters pay their dues and come back. I disagree. If you cheat, especially when it’s a clear case of them doing it (and not some messed up handling or a few cases where a test pops and yet there’s little pointing to them being a doper – I say this as I believe mistakes can be made and there needs to be fairness in sorting that out) then no, guess what… you cheated. You’re out and now have some serious time to do some thinking.
The way it is set up now, I am accepting in them coming back as the rules/decisions are setting it up to continue to clean up things but I’m still very annoyed at the idiots who cheat. Times are changing and for the better. Time to get with the new program and race clean.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
I don't like lifetime bans
mainly because the testing is too imprecise. The testing needs work regardless, but taking that out of the equation, if 3 years is too long, tough shit. Go flip burgers, or get an education and work with blind kids or lepers, and try to redeem yourself. If 3 years is not too long, then do like most pros do and go back to sleeping on your girlfriends couch, or get a crap job while you wait out your exile, which is entirely your own fault. Nobody is making these guys cheat anymore. Those days are over. They choose to cheat now. So if you do it now, you are a douchebag and you deserve to suffer before you get to play again. Just my opinion.
More Muur...
+10
And let’s hope he can’t found a team too soon.. Couldn’t stand The Cobra…
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
LPR?
I have no problem with it really. Cycling already has the longest suspension of any sport. In most mainstream American sports its a few games. I’m surprised no one has mentioned LPR. How many years does Di Luca have left? and Ricco has potential as an ardennes rider as well as a minor stage racer, I don’t think he will ever have a shot at a grand tour..
Good, he didn't dererve to get 2 years if Sella got only 1
the man admitted his wrong doing and gave some good info, I like the 6 month reduction when people speak, but a full year like Sella got is too much for me. Oh and I think Ricco is a little prick so I’m not saying this as a big fan.
Jay Cutler is an ungrateful punk....but please don't trade him!
I thought he was a little prick even in his confession
with that whole “Nyah nyah—I was cheating all along and your tests only caught me twice!” Not looking forward to his return, but I agree that cooperation should bring reduced sentences as an incentive to others.
As for the cheating, I think the subtle signs were always there…
He has no charisma--Thomas Dekker, on Cadel Evans
by majope on Mar 17, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Poor Evans or poor...
He had won this stage with Valverde in second
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
No can't be right.. He would probably hanging in an other wheel
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Can we expect Ricco to be using the Basso Comeback Plan?
Perhaps if fatherhood “reforms” him then Liquigas will cough up the money for him even though LPR is the magnet for Italians with lame nicknames…
Mon coeur appartient à les forçats de la route.
Fact of the matter
He sits out one Giro/TdF.
I agree with everyone here , ok to reduce a punishment for providing info and co-operating and so on and so on.
He sits out one Giro/TdF.
Is anyone here actually ok with this?
My conclusion : Any bikerider who chooses not to dope is too stupid to live. My bet is that a large part of the peloton reaches the same conclusion if they have any brains whatsoever.
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Maybe the ban needs to take into account the race
Use the current system (default 2 year ban) but apply a lifetime ban to the race the rider cheated in or “attempted” to cheat in. So Ricco cheats in the Tour, his ban only really runs for one year, but he can never ride in the Tour again. Ever.
That is what the ASO will de facto try to do
They will do it to Vino, Chicken and Kohl too, I’ll bet. Basso, probably not if he performs well enough.
Then we get court appeals and whatnot and lord knows what the eventual outcome will be?
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Also have to emphasize what Gavia said
This sanction still fell short of the full term for Riccò’s two sins, which would have totalled 30 months.
So in my book he did get a more lenient treatment as thanks for his co-operation. That Sella then got treated differently is a whole seperate problem and shouldn’t factor in here.
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
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