Di Luca’s B samples positive
France’s WADA-certified anti-doping laboratory at Châtenay-Malabry have confirmed positive test results from two of Danilo Di Luca’s B samples from this year’s Giro d’Italia. Di Luca twice tested positive for the the third generation of EPO, called a Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator (CERA), during the Giro in May. Di Luca has denied doping and is likely to challenge any suspension that results from the confirmed tests. Di Luca’s attorney has already publicly challenged laboratory procedures at the French lab.
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Photo: Agence France Presse – file photo
France’s WADA-certified anti-doping laboratory at Châtenay-Malabry have confirmed positive test results from two of Danilo Di Luca’s B samples from this year’s Giro d’Italia.
Di Luca twice tested positive for the the third generation of EPO, called a Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator (CERA), during the Giro in May.
Di Luca has denied doping and is likely to challenge any suspension that results from the confirmed tests. Di Luca’s attorney has already publicly challenged laboratory procedures at the French lab.
The UCI has already issued a provisional suspension in the case. Di Luca, already suspended for three months in 2007 for his involvement in the “Oil for Drugs” scandal, could face an extended suspension because the Giro violations might be considered a second doping offense.
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) also sought to suspend Di Luca due to “abnormal” blood levels from the 2007 Giro. He was cleared of those charges.
Di Luca chose not to attend Tuesday’s analysis of his B samples at Châtenay-Malabry, but was represented by Padova University professor Santo Davide Ferrara. Di Luca has already indicated that he would retire if his B samples from the Giro were to come back positive.
