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Riccardo Riccò suffers facial injuries after crash on Mont Ventoux descent

Controversial Italian faceplants at 60kph

Controversial Italian cyclist Riccardo Riccò, currently serving a 12-year doping ban, has suffered facial injuries while crashing on a descent of Mont Ventoux in France.

The 31-year-old tweeted a picture of his injuries on Wednesday with the words "fall on descent," subsequently adding that he felt as though he had been run over by a truck, and that despite the crash happening at 60 kilometres an hour, his MCipollini bike was undamaged.

 

 

Despite the fact he is banned from cycling in events sanctioned by the UCI or its member organisations until 2024, effectively ending his career, Riccò continues to hit the headlines frequently.

In April, he was reportedly caught red-handed attempting to buy doping substances including EPO at the car park of a McDonald’s in Livorno.

Since being handed his 12-year ban, Riccò has ridden in Gran Fondos and has also said that he wants to break the records for the ascents of some of Europe’s most iconic climbs, the reason he was on Mont Ventoux this week.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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22 comments

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cisgil23 | 9 years ago
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I posted the one before (18h54) before my netbook had loaded the photo of him with the bruising (using a slow WiFi).
But I have such a lack of confidence in him that I wouldn't be surprised if it was make-up !
Chris (the cynic).

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cisgil23 | 9 years ago
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I think the raison-d'etre for this whole publicity-seeking "news" is the statement "his MCipollini bike was undamaged".
Mario'sbike sales must be down if he wants to be associated with Ricco.
Is all publicity really good ?

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cyclingdave70 | 9 years ago
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Riding a Specialized Tarmac?

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Leviathan | 9 years ago
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He looks like he has been burnt all over.

Reminds me of the ending of Raiders of the Lost Ark

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Beaufort | 9 years ago
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I find the reporting of individuals tweets as 'news' pathetic.

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andylux | 9 years ago
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Is this even worth reporting? His injuries appear minor and an individual that doesn't deserve publicity is back in the media attention.

Facial road rash at 60 kph would remove his nose and face in my experience of similar trauma.. 60 kph I think not.

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dwbeever | 9 years ago
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is he 31 already! jeez....

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Karbon Kev | 9 years ago
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that's karma, right there

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Leeroy_Silk | 9 years ago
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If it's Strava records he's after someone should tell him about digital EPO. It's cheaper, less dangerous to take and less dangerous to ride.

It won't disguise that earring though...

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fenix | 9 years ago
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How come my local Mc Donalds doesn't do EPO.
It's one rule for the Europeans and another for us poor Brits...

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Some Fella | 9 years ago
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I think the real crime here is his earrings.
The UCI should have banned him for that alone.

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mrmo | 9 years ago
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..and In ten years once he is dead they'll be releasing jerseys and making films about him.

He may be an idiot but that doesn't mean he doesn't need help.

As aside, is he actually allowed to race the fondos? at least some come under UCI control, others national federations?? I know there was a case the States where a rider was tested and found to be doped as I understand it.

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allezrider replied to mrmo | 9 years ago
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mrmo wrote:

..and In ten years once he is dead they'll be releasing jerseys and making films about him.

I don't think he quite hit the heights of Il Pirati

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sanderville | 9 years ago
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At least if he needs a blood transfusion he doesn't have to go any further than his kitchen.

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Simmo72 | 9 years ago
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He probably fell whilst reaching into his portable fridge for a bag of stinking blood.

I hate this man, but I also pity him

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Nixster | 9 years ago
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A bit of proportion would be good here - if he were convicted of dealing Class As he would be helped with his addiction problems and given some counselling to help bring him back into society after his punishment.

As it is he's cheated in some bike races and it seems that death is considered a fairly likely (and not entirely regrettable) outcome. Does that sound right to you?  7

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farrell replied to Nixster | 9 years ago
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Nixster wrote:

A bit of proportion would be good here - if he were convicted of dealing Class As he would be helped with his addiction problems and given some counselling to help bring him back into society after his punishment.

As it is he's cheated in some bike races and it seems that death is considered a fairly likely (and not entirely regrettable) outcome. Does that sound right to you?  7

If that was aimed at me and my comments then let me assure you that I do not wish ill on Ricco. I think the UCI, although right to ban him, have let him down badly if they have not offered him support. I feel a great deal of sympathy for him.

From news and his social media he seems to have wild swings in his personality, he expresses traits that I recognise and if I knew him personally I would be very worried for him and try to guide him in to getting help.

The lad has some balls on him though, always has:
http://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/_processed_/csm_Ricco_-_Blood_a4d178...

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Nixster replied to farrell | 9 years ago
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@Farrell - no, not 'aimed' at you at all, you just raised the possibility. It was the impression that there seemed to be no tolerance or empathy in other comments on this and other doping stories that drove me to comment.

I thought putting it into context with the way society treats those who commit other drug related crimes seemed to point up some of the irrational behaviour and reactions in the cycling world.

As it happens I agree, if the UCI is part of the 'judicial' process on this issue they also have a moral duty, in my view, on the care and rehabilitation side as well.

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therevokid | 9 years ago
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I doubt anyone will take any notice of any records he breaks,
well apart from the "how many different drugs can I take in
one ride" record ....

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farrell | 9 years ago
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I don't think he is a well man and I don't think he'll be alive when his ban expires. He'll have either killed himself doing something ridiculously stupid or top himself.

Is he still with his (also a doper) girlfriend/fiancee?

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jmaccelari | 9 years ago
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Hmm, so "he wants to break the records for the ascents of some of Europe’s most iconic climbs". I wonder how difficult it will be if he's doped up to the gills again?

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Some Fella | 9 years ago
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Doper comes a cropper whilst trying to go faster than he is clearly capable of doing.

Metaphor?

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