On Friday, NADO Italia provisionally suspended Sicilian amateur cyclist Mario Spampinato following an alleged positive doping control, casting doubt over a rider who had just claimed a major regional victory three weeks earlier.
The Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping (TNA) confirmed it granted a request from the Procura Nazionale Antidoping (National Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office) to provisionally suspend Spampinato, who races for AF Arredamenti Team Cicling and is registered with the Federazione Ciclistica Italiana (FCI). The action cites alleged violations of Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the Italian Sporting Anti-Doping Code, which cover the presence of a prohibited substance in a sample and its use or attempted use. NADO Italia ordered the test that triggered the case, but neither the agency nor the tribunal has disclosed the substance involved.
The timing is notable. Online results list Mario Spampinato, 41, as the outright winner of the 77km Medio Fondo at the 19th Granfondo della Ceramica on Sunday 28 June 2026, sprinting across the line in 01:56:58 at an average speed of 39.5 km/h. The Sicilian classic, based in Santo Stefano di Camastra and serving as a Regional Championship race, had already been postponed once this year after storm damage forced organisers to move the event from its original April date.
A provisional suspension is not a final sanction. Spampinato remains presumed innocent pending a full TNA hearing and retains the right to request analysis of his B-sample. In the meantime, he is barred from participating in sport in any capacity. Gran Fondo Daily News will continue to follow the case as it develops.
Photo Credit: NADO Italia
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