On Friday the Italian National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO Italia) announced three amateur cyclists have been banned after testing revealed the presence Erythropoietin (EPO) in their biological samples.

Antonio Caliendo, 51, received a 3 year NADO Italia ban after testing positive for EPO in July 2025. Online results show the off-road racer won the MTB Campania Championship, XC del Vesuvio, XC del Massic and Gran Fondo dei Monti Picentini – all in the men’s M5 age group this year. Caliendo is prohibited from participating in sport in any capacity until 30 June 2028.

In May 2025 Filippo Noto, 55, also tested positive for EPO with NADO Italia banning the road racer for 3 years. Noto finished an impressive third overall at Granfondo dell Ceramica in April 2025, but is now banned from participating in sport in any capacity until 29 May 2028.

After violating anti-doping rules for a second time when he returned a positive result for EPO in October 2025, NADO Italia banned Gianbernardino Velotti for 8 years. Just prior to testing positive Velotti completed serving a previous NADO Italia ban and then returned to racing, winning the men’s M1 30-34 age group Italian Medio Fondo Championship in September. Velotti is now prohibited from participating in sport in any capacity until 22 October 2033.

EPO is banned at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and is easily detected via standard anti-doping tests. It has a long history of use by athletes to increase one’s red blood cell mass, which allows the body to move more oxygen to muscles and thus significantly increase physical performance.

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