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.
Caduta in discesa pic.twitter.com/8TGzpb4PWb
— riccardo riccò (@riccardo_ricco) July 30, 2014
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.
22 thoughts on “Riccardo Riccò suffers facial injuries after crash on Mont Ventoux descent”
Doper comes a cropper whilst
Doper comes a cropper whilst trying to go faster than he is clearly capable of doing.
Metaphor?
Hmm, so “he wants to break
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?
I don’t think he is a well
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?
I doubt anyone will take any
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 ….
A bit of proportion would be
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? :/
Nixster wrote:A bit of
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_a4d178ae04.jpg
@Farrell – no, not ‘aimed’ at
@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.
He probably fell whilst
He probably fell whilst reaching into his portable fridge for a bag of stinking blood.
I hate this man, but I also pity him
At least if he needs a blood
At least if he needs a blood transfusion he doesn’t have to go any further than his kitchen.
..and In ten years once he is
..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.
mrmo wrote:..and In ten years
I don’t think he quite hit the heights of Il Pirati
I think the real crime here
I think the real crime here is his earrings.
The UCI should have banned him for that alone.
How come my local Mc Donalds
How come my local Mc Donalds doesn’t do EPO.
It’s one rule for the Europeans and another for us poor Brits…
If it’s Strava records he’s
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…
that’s karma, right there
that’s karma, right there
is he 31 already! jeez….
is he 31 already! jeez….
Is this even worth reporting?
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.
I find the reporting of
I find the reporting of individuals tweets as ‘news’ pathetic.
He looks like he has been
He looks like he has been burnt all over.
Reminds me of the ending of Raiders of the Lost Ark
Riding a Specialized Tarmac?
Riding a Specialized Tarmac?
I think the raison-d’etre for
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 ?
I posted the one before
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).