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Giovanni Visconti latest Italian cyclist banned for working with Michele Ferrari

Movistar rider suspended for three months for association with banned sports doctor

Three time Italian national champion Giovanni Visconti has received a three month ban and been fined €10,000 for associating with banned sports doctor, Michele Ferrari. The sanctions are identical to those given earlier this week to Lampre rider Michele Scarponi for the same offence.

While Scarponi’s ban expires on 31 December, the dates of the one handed to Visconti by the anti-doping tribunal of the Italian Olympic committee, CONI, are slightly different, running from 8 October to 7 January. The Movistar rider also has to pay the €1,000 costs of the hearing.

In both cases, the length of suspension are the same as that given to Farnese Vini-Selle Italia rider Filippo Pozzato earlier this year, again for associating with Ferrari, who has been banned from working with Italian cyclists since 2002 and now, as a result of the United States Anti-Doping Agency's investigation into the US Postal team, is also banned worldwide.

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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6 comments

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jdstrachan@yaho... | 11 years ago
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And we think the system has learnt from the Armstrong farce, yet people are given bans back dated to cover the off season period.

AND 3 months? I know the precedent was set Pozzato, but thats the point Pozzato should have been given more.

If a Doctor is banned from the sport what sort of idiot would associate themselves with them UNLESS they were doping? How can they be expected to be viewed as anything other than a doper by associating with him? They should receive a minimum or 1 year, I would prefer 2, and those convicted of doping like Contador etc given 4 years and to serve from the date of conviction, not be back dated.

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arrieredupeleton | 11 years ago
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Farcical. It's like telling my kids they are banned from watching TV between midnight and 5am.

Only an Italian would do such a lovely job of styling his hair before putting on his helmet. 'Cappello*' Giovanni!

*Italian for Chapeau**

**Hat

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Raleigh | 11 years ago
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What a joke.

Visconti's last race day: Ocotber 7th
Visconti's association ban starts: October 8th

#McQuaidout

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Sam1 replied to Raleigh | 11 years ago
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Raleigh wrote:

What a joke.

Visconti's last race day: Ocotber 7th
Visconti's association ban starts: October 8th

#McQuaidout

In this instance - and I say this reluctantly - its not McQuaid's fault. Its CONI plus the fark-wittedness of the Italian system in not knowing their a$se from their elbow and uncontestably striking Ferraro off their register. The same ban's handed to Visconti and Scarponi as Pozzato - because there's a precedent with Pozzato.

All losers whatever way you look at it. And once again, clean sport gets badly served.

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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Meanwhile, Road.cc is associating with Ferrari as well! Ok, it's Fabio Ferrari, the owner of the image copyright...

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SideBurn | 11 years ago
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A three month ban in the 'off' season.....Ouch that is really going to hurt, I bet he is wishing he had never heard of Michele.

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