Earlier today, the International Cycling Union (UCI) advised Mattia Gavazzi (Colnago-CSF Inox) that he has been provisionally suspended from racing. The decision was made after the WADA accredited laboratory in Lausanne reported an Adverse Analytical Finding of cocaine in a urine sample collected from him at an in-competition test during the Settimana Lombarda on March 31, 2010. He finished second to Francesco Chicci (Liquigas-Doimo) in stage 1a of the event that day, which promped the doping control.
Just two days later Gavazzi won stage two of the Settimana Lombarda ahead of Roberto Ferrari (De Rosa-Stac Plastic) and Alberto Loddo (Androni Giocattoli-Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni).
The UCI said the provisional suspension will remain in place until a hearing by the Italian Cycling Federation determines whether Gavazzi has committed an anti-doping rule violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.
He is the son of former professional cyclist Pierino Gavazzi, who won Milan-Sanremo in 1980. There has been no word on whether Gavazzi will request for his B sample to be tested.