UPDATE: Desederio now is banned by NADO Italia for 10 years, until 18 September 2031.

The Italian National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) has provisionally suspended 47 year-old amateur cyclist Beniamino Desiderio after he returned a positive result for Recombinant Erythropoietin (EPO) in a test administered by NADO.

Desiderio’s most success for his ASD Team Giannini came at the first edition of the Memorial Donato Ammaturo race held in Poggiomarino on 28 May 2022, which he won.

He also put in strong performances in 2021 at the FCI Italian Tricolor Masters Championships, where he just missed the podium, finishing in fourth place and at Maratona dles Dolomites gran fondo where he finished third overall.

EPO is a banned performance enhancing drug preferred by cyclists since it quickly and significantly improves performance by increasing red blood cell production, which then carries more oxygen to the body’s muscles.

NADO has not yet scheduled a trial hearing for Desiderio, where he can present his case and await a verdict by the Italian Anti Doping Court of innocence or guilt and learn his fate.

Photos: stock