Wednesday 9 November was not a good day the Italian ASD Marrone Autoricamb amateur gran fondo team. Actually, it was probably the worst day in team history with three of their top riders being banned from all competition worldwide for a total of 19 years by the National Anti Doping Organization (NADO).

After already being found guilty of Erythropoietin (EPO) doping in September and receiving a three-year ban, 2021 Gran Fondo Strade Bianche champion Onofrio Monzillo, 34, was found guilty of more EPO doping violations and banned for an additional eight years. His eleven-years of ineligibility now runs from 25 July 2022 until 25 July 2033.

Domenico Antonio Nigro, 37, received a five-year competitive ban by NADO after being found guilty of violating anti-doping rules when he returned a positive result for Testosterone and Erythropoietin (EPO) on 6 July 2022. His ban will end on 5 July 2027.

Giovanni Battista Vendemia, 24, received a three-year ban for violating World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) article 2.3: “Evading Sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to Sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorized Person.” The ban will remain in effect from 30 September 2022 until 29 September 2025.

Team ASD Marrone Autoricamb has not commented on the triple suspensions announced by NADO, nor on the future of the amateur team.

Photos/Media: Radio Corsa Web