Cycling: The Italian Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) has tested positive for the blood doping agent EPO. The sample dates back to 2012. A subsequent examination revealed the positive result.
The Katusha team described the news in a press release as a "complete shock". Caruso has been driving for the Russian team since 2010. This year he competed in the Tour de France and the Critéritum du Dauphiné, among other things, on Saturday he should have started in the Tour of Spain. As per UCI rules, Caruso has been provisionally suspended by Katusha. Before taking any further action, the team would like to await the result of the B sample.
The positive sample comes from a training test on March 27, 2012. It was negative at the time, but now it appears to have been tested using a new test method and the result was positive. Caruso has been involved in doping affairs on several occasions: in 2003 he was stripped of his first professional victory at the Tour Down Under after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone. Caruso was banned for six months. In 2006 he was accused of being on Eufemiano Fuentes' doping list. However, a two-year ban imposed by the Italian Olympic Committee was lifted by the World Sports Court (CAS).
If the B test is positive, Caruso faces a life ban.
Leave a Comment