Medical exams for racing licence????

[avanti]

"Dr. Giancarlo Lavezzaro In “Eddy Merckx, the Cannibal” by Daniel Friebe, Lavezzaro claims that anyone presenting an equivalent cardiogram today would be denied a racing licence."
Source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/merckx-fitted-with-pacemaker

I've never heard of a racing licence that requires a medical exam. Is this a requirement anywhere?

 

[rhubroma]

Yep, in Italy. A rider must have a physical examination and stress test of the heart each season, to be able to hold a racing license.