Rider who got reduced ban after testifying to CIRC tests positive again

Francesco Reda, who finished second to Vincenzo Nibali in last month’s Italian national championships, has tested positive for NESP, a derivative of the blood-booster EPO – despite having had a previous suspension reduced by more than a third for the help he gave the UCI’s Cycling Independent Reform Commission.

In January 2012, the then Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela rider, who had previously ridden for Quick Step, was handed a two-year ban by CONI, the Italian national Olympic committee. His ban was subsequently reduced to 15 months by for the assistance he provided to the CIRC, which published its report earlier this year.

Had he served the full term of that ban, the 32-year-old would have been eligible to return to racing just one week before the national championships last month, where he finished second to Vincenzo Nibali as the Astana rider successfully defended his title.

Under the latest version of the World Anti-Doping Code which came into effect on 1 January, Reda could potentially face a lifetime ban. The case has been passed to CONI, which has provisionally suspended him pending formal disciplinary proceedings.