Ricco

[Samu Cuenca]

Ricco's ban legitimately ended this year didn't it?

Going like that up a climb I wouldn't think he was just doing it as a hobbyist...

He was handed a lifetime ban by the Italian doping authorities in 2020, but his UCI bio says he has no sanctions now, so perhaps it would be possible for him to return, if he switches nationality and never rides in Italy.

 

[peterfin]

It was always his plan to return. That would be perfect timing. The clinic is buzzing lately.

Riccardo Riccò: I'll be 40 when my ban ends, I’ll be competitive | Cycling Today

Regarded as one of Italy’s most talented young riders at the time, Riccardo Riccò won two stages at the 2008 Tour de France but was fired by his Saunier Duval team after testing positive for CERA. Returning to the sport in 2010, he was fired by Vacansoleil in October of the following year after...

cycling.today

 

[ppanther92]

Legend! He would smash all those modern wannabes...maybe except Teddy.

Tbf, Bernal is also not really competitive anymore. But a nice CT career post 40 like Rebellin or Sevilla - why not?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Interview with the Cobra in Italian

After years in which he voluntarily stayed away from the bike, almost twenty years after what was the peak of his dazzling and deceptive sporting career, Riccardo Riccò has now turned the page and has recently managed to get back to cycling.

A gradual return that now sees him challenge himself first and foremost, putting himself to the test with the tools available to all of us. "I use apps to compare myself with the times of professionals and I'm still competitive"

Riccardo Riccò, dal doping alla squalifica fino alla rinascita: "Mi assumo le mie colpe, ma mi dopavo quando si dopavano tutti. I miei tempi ancora competitivi"

Riccardo Riccò si guarda indietro, con qualche rimpianto, ma senza necessariamente condannare quanto fatto

cyclingpro.net

 

[webvan]

I'm sure Gianetti must be delighted to see him pop back in the news ;-)

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Visma need stronger domestiques for Vingegaard, and we need someone who can challenge Vingegaard at the Giro. It's a match made in heaven. He'd also be wearing yellow like in the good old days. The only issue is that he would have to abandon after the Bulgarian stages.