Italian National Anti Doping Organisation (NADO) has banned 46 year-old amateur cyclist Matteo Gnucci (DT RACING TEAM SC) for a period of three years after he tested positive for the banned substance Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), following not one, not two, but three out of competition drug tests performed on 11 May, 28 May and 10 June 2021. 

The primary medical use for hCG is typically linked to female infertility. When misused by male athletes the desired outcome is to increase testosterone or restore testosterone production after doping with synthetic anabolic steroids.

Gnucci did not challenge the test results or offer an explanation, instead he and simply agreed to a three year sanction beginning 7 July 2021 and ending 6 July 2024. 

Gnucci has ridden Italian gran fondos for over ten years, recently earning mid-pack finishes. He qualified for the 2021 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships at the last UCI Tre Valli Varesine Granfondo by placing 18th in his age group.  In 2019 he finished 51st in his age group at the EUC European Gran Fondo Championships in Trento. Most recently he earned 12th place in the 45-50 year-old category at Granfondo Squali 2021.

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