Italian Cyclist Is Suspended After Failing Dope Test

Italian cyclist Vincenzo Ceci may have wrecked his career by failing a dope test before the world cycling championships in Japan, his team chief said today.

“He is finished. I feel that he will not compete again,” Italian team head Giuseppe Antonini told Reuters.

Ceci, in his third year as a professional, will receive an automatic two-year ban.

The 27-year-old star was sent home by the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) after his pre-selection sample, taken in Italy, showed traces of the muscle-building hormone testosterone.

He had been a medal hope in the world championships, beginning today.

The FCI started random testing in 1989 after a recommendation from the Italian Olympic Committee, which also specified a two-year ban for a first offense.

The International Cycling Union lays down a three-month ban for amateurs, and a fine, warning and a suspended ban of up to three months for professionals caught for the first time.