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 recent triumph for his ASD Team Giannini came at the first edition of the Memorial Donato Ammaturo, an amateur cycling 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 in the Sellaronda climbing competition, where he finished third overall.

Desiderio is the second middle-aged Italian amateur racer to test positive and be provisionally banned for EPO use in the last 30 days. Armando Sevieri also tested positive for EPO and is awaiting NADO trial, while his team considers possible legal action.

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: Recormon