The eve of Giro d’Italia hasn’t reflected much professionalism by two Italian cyclists. Both, Nicola Ruffoni and Stefano Pirazzi, since yesterday, are officially out of the 100th Giro d’Italia edition.
After taking some basic tests, the International Cycling Union was the one to confirm that both of professional cyclists participating in the tour had resulted positive for a derivate of banned growth hormones in their body.
Both, Ruffoni and Pirazzi were part of the Bardiani cycling team which has an all-Italian team. They were thrown out of the race immediately after a pre-race presentation located at Alghero in Sardinia.
The International Cycling Union members will very soon make a further investigation on this matter…
Hurted and shocked, we’re at the start of @giroditalia in #Alghero – The support of the fans will be our power #GoGoGo #GreenTeam pic.twitter.com/uakt1BwLMK
— Bardiani – CSF (@Bardiani_CSF) May 5, 2017
The other team members of the Bardiani cycling team, admitted this sudden news shocked them. Bruno and Roberto Reverberi, both managers of the team, were the ones to show the biggest surprise and shock they got after the suspension of two of the best cyclists in their team.
They added: “The riders are now no longer part of our team for the Giro d’Italia. They have been suspended from all activity, in accordance with the UCI rules. We will await the results of future tests, in accordance with the anti-doping rules, but we reaffirm our intention to safeguard the values that have allowed our (team) project to develop in recent years.”
Who are Pirazzi and Ruffoni?
Both Pirazzi and Ruffoni were professional cyclists’ with many years of experience. They were ready to participate in the Giro d’Italia tour that starts in Alghero today and ends in Milan 28th of May.
Ruffoni, 26, has more than four years of experience in professional cycling. Pirazzi on the other hand, 30, had won the best climber’s competition back at the Giro during the 2013 edition. He has also won a stage to Vittorio Veneto back in 2014.
