Riccardo Riccò: The cyclist who nearly died doing his own blood transfusion

It's not uncommon to see falls from grace in the world of sports, with injuries, off-field issues, and some just a sudden drop in confidence leading to downfalls of previously dominant athletes. For some, the issues are internal, with the pressure to perform at the highest level sometimes proving too much.

In the world of professional cycling, there is one issue that has scourged the sport for decades: doping.  One of the most stunning examples of a doping case undoing greatness has to be Riccardo Riccò.

Considered one of the best climbers in the world in the 2000s, the one nicknamed “the Cobra” left his mark on the tours of France and Italy. Fast, both in the sprint and in the mountains, Riccò was formidable.

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In 2008 and then 2012, the darling of Italy was found to be using performance-enhancing drugs, despite his best efforts to cover it up. Suspensions of 20 months and later 12 years have, logically, put an end to his young career.

For the benefit of career or because of his irrepressible will to win, the “Cobra” gambled with his life and almost lost. Here's a look back at the career of a cycling prodigy who got into doping and never got out.

In April 2005, the world of cycling discovered a young rider with crazy potential – as good in time trials as in the mountains – Riccardo Riccò. The 22-year-old smashed the competition in Lombard Cycling Week, with two stage wins.

This feat did not go unnoticed and, as soon as the competition was over, the professional team Ceramica Panaria took an interest in the young man. However, the Italian Cycling Federation is had noticed the abnormal blood tests from Riccò. Yes already…

Riccò is 22 years old and, despite his blood tests which suggest that he is doped, he joined the Spanish team Saunier Duval-Prodir in 2006. This very ambitious formation recruits rough diamonds and rapidly cuts them into shape. 

The ascent of the “Cobra” is instantaneous. In March, on Tirreno-Adriatico, he finished third in the 2nd stage, beaten by former world champions Óscar Freire and Igor Astarloa. The young rider is explosive and an excellent climber, with a perfect profile for winning stages.

It took a few more days for him to win his first race in April 2006. In his hometown of Sassuolo, he beat Paolo Bettini during the International Coppi and Bartali Week.

In May 2007, Saunier-Duval arrived on the Tour of Italy with one intention: to win the stages. What we can say is that the mission is successful. With four stage victories, by four different riders, the squad is impressive.

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Among the revelations of this Tour, the “Cobra” is surely the most dazzling. With a victory on the 15th stage and a second place in the best young rider category, behind the untouchable Andy Schlek, Riccardo Riccò is the new sensation of world cycling.

The following year, in 2008, the Italian announced he wanted to wear the pink jersey – he wanted to win the Giro. The main problem was Alberto Contador, the Spaniard from Astana was then at his peak and seemed untouchable.

If he is not going to beat him, the “Cobra” will at the very least push “El Pistolero” to his limits. The Italian finished second in the Tour of Italy, with two more stage victories in his pocket. This man is made to win.

After his great performances in the Giro, it's time for the Tour de France. Faced with Cadel Evans and Alejandro Valverde, the "Cobra" showed them what he was about with two victories in the sixth and ninth stages of the Tour.

While he was still in the white jersey, he tested positive for EPO during the time trial in Cholet and the Saunier-Duval team was directly excluded from the Grande Boucle.

Suspended for 20 months, Riccardo Riccò returned in 2010 and won a stage in the Lombard Cycling Week, the event that unveiled him. In May 2010, his partner Vania Rossi tested positive for EPO… The demons are already coming back.

However, with his new team Ceramica Flaminia, he won the Tour of Austria, won a stage in the Tour of Trentino, before signing with Vacansoleil, where he won the Coppa Sabatini. The “Cobra” was back!

Unfortunately, on February 19, 2011, he was fired by Vacansoleil after admitting to having had recourse to a blood auto-transfusion. This time, the situation is much more serious, it is not just about the athlete.

Indeed, on February 7, Riccardo Riccò was admitted to Modena hospital in serious condition. Out of fear for his life, he admits to his doctor that he self-transfused his own blood which he had been keeping in his refrigerator for 25 days.

He was then suspended by the International Federation, just after signing for a Croatian team. Finally, he is excluded from any competition for 12 years. The end of such a short career...

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Riccò then sets out to break world records but a fall in the Ventoux prevents him from continuing. Devastated, he then admits having thought of ending his life. Today, Riccò seems to be in a much better place. He remarried and owns an ice cream shop in Italy. A simple and peaceful life, far from the hell of tar.