Stefano Pirazzi and Nicola Ruffoni of Bardiani CSF have returned positive tests in out-of-competition doping controls, the UCI confirmed Thursday. Both riders were slated to start the Giro d'Italia, which sets out from Sardinia on Friday.
The news of the doping cases broke just after the official team presentation in Alghero on Thursday evening, where Bardiani-CSF had paraded with the other teams before this year's 100th edition of the Giro d'Italia. It is unclear if the Italian team and the two riders knew of the failed tests as they took part in the team presentation.
A UCI statement said that doping tests detected GH-Releasing Peptides (GHRPs) in the A samples of Ruffoni and Pirazzi, taken in out-of-competition controls on 25 and 26 April 2017, respectively.
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"The riders have the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample. In accordance with UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the riders have been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the respective affair," the UCI stated.
Because the riders are on the same team, Bardiani CSF faces a suspension of 15-45 days under article 7.12.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, subject to the decision of the UCI Disciplinary Commission. The Italian Professional Continental team is expected start the race on Friday but without Pirazzi and Ruffoni.
The Bardiani team issued a statement shortly after the positives were announced, saying that the "riders will be sacked if confirmed positive" and threatened "possible legal action for damages".
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