Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco, who was thrown off the Tour de France in 2008 for taking a blood-boosting drug, has been banned for life, the national anti-doping agency announced.
The 37-year-old had already been handed a 12-year ban that was due to expire in 2024.
He must also pay a 4,000 euro ($4,850) fine and costs of 378 euros, Nado Italia said in a statement issued Monday.
“The first section of the national anti-doping court, in the disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Riccardo Ricco… imposes a life ban,” the statement said.
A once promising rider known as “The Cobra”, Ricco’s career collapsed when he was found to have taken the banned blood-booster CERA during the 2008 tour.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
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