The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that it has notified Italian riders Nicola Ruffoni and Stefano Pirazzi of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) of GH-Releasing Peptides (GHRPs)* in samples collected in the scope of out-of-competition controls on 25 and 26 April 2017 respectively.
The riders have the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample. In accordance with UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the riders have been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the respective affair.
These constitute the first and second AAFs for members of the UCI Professional Continental Team Bardiani CSF within a twelve-month period. Therefore, article 7.12.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules providing for the suspension of the team from 15 days to 45 days will be applied.
The UCI will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Commission which will render a decision against the team in due course.
At this stage of the procedure, the UCI will not comment any further on any of these matters.
(*) GH-Releasing Peptides (GHRPs) are classified as “Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics” as per the World Anti-Doping Prohibited List 2017.
(**) Article 7.12 ADR which entered into force on 1 January 2015.