Italian team Bardiani-CSF banned for a month after
Tuesday 13 June 2017 16:58, UK
Italian pro-continental cycling team Bardiani-CSF have been banned from competition for 30 days after two of their riders tested positive on the eve of the Giro d'Italia last month.
Sprinter Nicola Ruffoni and climber Stefano Pirazzi were sacked by the team after returning positive out-of-competition tests prior to the start of the Giro.
A ban for the second division team was therefore inevitable under UCI rules, and the length of it was confirmed in a statement from the world governing body on Tuesday.
"The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that the Disciplinary Commission has decided to suspend the UCI Professional Continental Team Bardiani CSF for a period of 30 days from June 14 to July 14 2017 in accordance with article 7.12.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) providing for a "Team Suspension" (*)," a statement said.
"For the duration of its suspension, the Team Bardiani CSF is suspended from participating in any international event."
They were allowed to race in the season's first Grand Tour, but their leading finisher Giulio Ciccone finished in 95th overall, almost four hours behind winner Tom Dumoulin - they also failed to win a stage.
