Giro: Romano admits to doping
Italian cyclist Domenico Romano, who was being sought in connection with an investigation into doping, surrendered to authorities in Brescia, on Monday and later admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. Romano, who has been out of contact since he unexpectedly quit the Giro d’Italia last Wednesday complaining of a wrist problem, has been placed in temporary detention and will be questioned by prosecutors later in the day. Romano admitted to a prosecutor during questioning that he had taken doping substances. The 26-year-old, who rode for Panaria for the past two seasons before moving
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By VeloNews Interactive wire services , Copyright AFP2002
Italian cyclist Domenico Romano, who was being sought in connection with an investigation into doping, surrendered to authorities in Brescia, on Monday and later admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.
Romano, who has been out of contact since he unexpectedly quit the Giro d’Italia last Wednesday complaining of a wrist problem, has been placed in temporary detention and will be questioned by prosecutors later in the day.
Romano admitted to a prosecutor during questioning that he had taken doping substances.
The 26-year-old, who rode for Panaria for the past two seasons before moving to Belgian team Landbouwkrediet this season, remains in custody after being interviewed over the doping scandal in last year’s Giro, his lawyer said.
Romano is believed to be a close friend of Antonio Varriale of the Panaria team, who is under investigation for the alleged possession with intent to distribute banned performance-enhancing substance.
Varriale was arrested a week ago by Brescia investigators and provisionally suspended both by his team and the Italian Cycling Federation.
On Friday another Panaria rider Nicola Chesini, the last-placed rider in the Giro, was arrested at the end of the fifth stage.
Another Panaria rider Filippo Perfetto, has also been missing since he left the Giro before the start on Saturday morning. Officials say they had informed the rider that he was also under investigation.
The inquiries follow the swoop during the 2001 Giro when doping products were found sparking an investigation by prosecutors concerning over 100 people. Padua magistrate Paola Cameran is conducting one of the two police inquiries into last year’s Giro while the other is under the supervision of Florence magistrate Luigi Bocciolini.
AFP 2002
