UPDATE 24 JULY 2024: Spampani’s teammate Alessandro Gasperini has also been accused of Testosterone doping.

Four time World Masters Cycling Federation (WMCF) Champion Alessandro Paolo Spampani (CICLI FALASCHI) of Italy has been preliminarily suspended after returning a positive anti-doping test result for the banned substance Methyl-Testosterone, according a press release by NADO Italia.

The 59 year-old won WMCF world titles at the annual Radweltpokal event for masters age cyclists held in St. Johann, Austria in 2015, 2016, 2017, and less than a year ago in 2023.

This season Spampani has been on a winning streak, including victories at the FCI Tuscany Regional Road Masters Championship 1 June, Trofeo Ristorante Genovini 4 May, G.P. Magliano 28 April, Memorial Bucciantini Giancarlo 30 March and on 23 March Trofeo Velo Club Monsummanese.

Methyl-Testosterone is synthetic oral Testosterone that is usually prescribed by doctors to aid development of male sex organs and to improve climacteric problems. Athletes have long used the substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to increase muscle mass and recover faster from strenuous physical workouts or races. For cyclists, when used with weight lifting and intense on-the-bike training this can lead to development of more powerful leg muscles.

If found guilty of a Methyl-Testosterone anti-doping violation by NADO Italia it would be Spampani’s second doping conviction. He was banned two years, from September 2008 until September 2010, after the National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA) found him guilty of using prohibited substances.

Photo Credit: WMCF

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