PONTE DI LEGNO, Italy (AP) — Race organizers say former Giro d’Italia winner Danilo Di Luca tested positive for EPO in a surprise test at his home before this year’s race.
A one-line announcement on the race’s website says the test was carried out at Di Luca’s home on April 29. The Giro started May 4 and ends Sunday.
Di Luca is 26th overall, 33 minutes, 33 seconds behind leader Vincenzo Nibali.
If confirmed in a backup “B” sample, Di Luca risks a lifetime ban since this is his third offense.
He tested positive for CERA in the 2009 Giro and received a two-year ban which was subsequently reduced by nine months after he collaborated with Italian anti-doping authorities. He was also banned for three months after winning the 2007 Giro for seeing a banned doctor.
