Alessandro Petacchi. Photo courtesy of cyclingnews.com
Famous Italian cyclist Alessandro Petacchi might join Kazakhstan national cycling team, Astana cycling team’s website writes. This was his reaction to the decision of Italian Cycling Federation to ban sportsmen involved in doping issues from cycle for the national team. “In the next World Championship in Copenhagen I might cycle against Italy. I don’t like all this. Italian Federation decided to set different punishments for professional cyclists,” Petacchi said. Italian cyclist was caught on doping in 2007, when salbutamol was found in his blood. During his career Petacchi won rounds of Tour de France 6 times and became a winner of Giro d’Italia rounds 21 times. Last year he won the sprinters round in the “Big Loop”. “I don’t think I will be able to repeat the results of last year’s Tour de France. I am not in the same shape as I was last year when I won the green jersey. I won only one round of Giro in Parma and fell out of the race in Ravenna. In June I cycled only in Slovenian Tour,” the cyclist added. According to the new rules of Italian Cycling Federation, cyclists like Ivan Basso, Danilo di Luka, Michele Scarponi and Stefano Garzelli will not be able to cycle fdr the national team.
Famous Italian cyclist Alessandro Petacchi might join Kazakhstan national cycling team, Astana cycling team’s website writes. This was his reaction to the decision of Italian Cycling Federation to ban sportsmen involved in doping issues from cycle for the national team.
“In the next World Championship in Copenhagen I might cycle against Italy. I don’t like all this. Italian Federation decided to set different punishments for professional cyclists,” Petacchi said.
Italian cyclist was caught on doping in 2007, when salbutamol was found in his blood. During his career Petacchi won rounds of Tour de France 6 times and became a winner of Giro d’Italia rounds 21 times. Last year he won the sprinters round in the “Big Loop”.
“I don’t think I will be able to repeat the results of last year’s Tour de France. I am not in the same shape as I was last year when I won the green jersey. I won only one round of Giro in Parma and fell out of the race in Ravenna. In June I cycled only in Slovenian Tour,” the cyclist added.
According to the new rules of Italian Cycling Federation, cyclists like Ivan Basso, Danilo di Luka, Michele Scarponi and Stefano Garzelli will not be able to cycle fdr the national team.