Ricco sacked over doping allegations

Disgraced Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco was sacked by his Vacansoleil team yesterday for breaking team regulations, according to a statement released by the Dutch team.

The 27-year-old had been called to explain himself to the team after arousing suspicion when he was admitted to hospital last week suffering from a suspected blood infection.

Reports claimed Ricco fell ill by injecting blood which had not been stored properly.

The team management were clearly not convinced by Ricco’s explanation and sacked him with immediate effect.

Ricco, who only returned to action last March after a 20-month suspension for doping, faces two further investigations.

The Modena prosecutor has since opened an investigation and is now awaiting the results of tests at the hospital. The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has also launched an inquiry.