In a statement to day, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced they would follow suit with the French Anti-Doping agency and extend the bans of the five cyclists who tested positive in the 2008 Tour de France.
The UCI said in a statement, “Following an examination of the decisions made by the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) with regard to positive doping test results during the 2008 Tour de France, the International Cycling Union (UCI) has decided to extend the sanctions announced by the French agency to international level in accordance with the prevailing regulations.
As a result, on 28 July, the UCI requested the relevant National Federations to withdraw the licences of Manuel Beltran, Moises Duenas, Bernhard Kohl, Leonardo Piepoli and Riccardo Riccò for two years from the applicable dates.”
This means that Italian Riccardo Riccò, who was hoping to return to the peloton for the 2010 Giro d’Italia, will have to appeal the decision to participate.
Riccò’s plans to race his home tour were based on the fact that his ban was shortened to 20 months because of his cooperation with authorities in the investigation.