The International Cycling Union (UCI) has announced the provisionally suspension of Vini-Fantini rider Mauro Santambrogio. The 28-year-old Italian tested positive for EPO (a banned blood-boosting hormone) on the first day of the Giro d�Italia before going on to win Stage 14. In a statement the UCI said: �The decision to provisionally suspend this rider was made in response to a report from the WADA-accredited laboratory in Rome indicating an adverse analytical finding of EPO in his urine sample collected at the Giro d’ Italia on 4th May 2013� The provisional suspension of Mr. Santambrogio remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the Italian Cycling Federation determines whether he has committed an anti-doping rule violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.�
Santambrogio is the second Vini-Fantini rider to test positive for EPO after Danilo Di Luca, who had already served a ban for blood-boosting at the 2009 Giro d�Italia, failed an out-of-competition test taken on April 29. Di Luca was sacked by the team and branded �an idiot� by the Team Director. With the latest blow to the team � who competed in the Giro on a wildcard invitation � Vini Fantini boss, Luca Scinto, has told Italian website Tuttobiciweb.it that he fears for the future, commenting, �Everything�s finished, the whole project is finished� What do you want me to tell you, I�m distraught, I�m ruined.�
