Italian cycist Gianni Da Ros has been sanctioned with an unprecedented 20-year doping ban from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal for his part in trafficking doping substances.
Da Ros, 23, was arrested in March during a team run out at the velodrome in Padua, Italy. He was immediately suspended by his Liquigas team and the Italian Cycling Federation.
At the time of his arrest the federation released a statement saying, “Liquigas, like the Italian Cycling Federation, are completely in the dark about this business.”
The investigation, carried out by the Milan state prosecutor, included 12 arrests and 64 properties that were searched across the country.
A television report entitled “Muscles and Doping” detailing how athletes could obtain doping products from traders sparked the investigation in 2008. The guilty included Da Ros, along with amateur racers, physios, gym staff and traders.
This latest development underscores the effort being put forth to eradicate doping in Italy. After several high-profile cases in the country including Riccardo Riccò, Emanuelle Sella, and Leonardo Piepoli, the anti-doping efforts being put forth continue to narrow the window of opportunity for cheats.