Mauro Santambrogio

Career

Until 2009, Santambrogio rode for , and after the 2009 season he changed to . In 2010, he was mentioned in the Mantova doping investigation, and was sidelined for a few days by his team; he was again sidelined in 2011 when new evidence showed up.

After leaving BMC at the end of the 2012 season, Santambrogio joined . He made an excellent start to the season, including finishing 6th overall in Tour de San Luis, 7th overall in Tirreno–Adriatico and winning the GP Industria & Artigianato di Larciano in pouring rain. He was clear of the group with Patrik Sinkewitz, when Sinkewitz crashed at a right turn with 2 km to go. Santambrogio then soloed his way to victory. Santambrogio then finished 2nd overall in Giro del Trentino. At the Giro d'Italia, Santambrogio won Stage 14 after attacking with race leader Vincenzo Nibali, to rise to fourth overall, and just one second off the final podium place occupied by Rigoberto Urán. However, Santambrogio's form collapsed and he eventually finished 9th overall. Santambrogio's surprising performances had caused rumours amongst the peloton of doping from early in the race.

Doping

On 3 June 2013, it was announced that Santambrogio had tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) after the first stage of the 2013 Giro d'Italia. This came just a few weeks after teammate Danilo Di Luca was thrown out of the Giro for testing positive for the same substance. Santambrogio was also sacked by the team. Santambrogio was suspended by the UCI until 2 November 2014.

On 22 October 2014, Santambrogio tested positive for testosterone and was suspended for three years. Santambrogio said he would not seek to return once his suspension has been served.

Career achievements

Major results

;2004 : 2nd Tour du lac Leman : 5th Stausee-Rundfahrt Klingnau : 8th GP della Costa Etruschi ;2005 : 1st Giro del Lago Maggiore (GP Knorr) : 3rd [[File:Bronze medal blank.svg|15px]] Road race, Mediterranean Games : 3rd Giro del Mendrisiotto : 5th Memorial Cimurri : 7th Coppa Sabatini : 7th Coppa Placci ;2009 : 1st Overall Tre Valli Varesine : 2nd Coppa Ugo Agostoni : 8th Overall Tour Down Under ;2010 : 2nd Coppa Ugo Agostoni : 5th GP Ouest–France : 8th Giro di Lombardia ;2011 : 2nd Giro della Toscana ;2012 : 4th Giro di Lombardia : 6th Clásica de San Sebastián : 6th Gran Piemonte ;2013 : 1st GP Industria & Artigianato di Larciano : 2nd Overall Giro del Trentino : 3rd Trofeo Laigueglia : 5th Gran Premio Città di Camaiore : 6th Overall Tour de San Luis : 7th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico

Grand Tour general classification results timeline

References

References

1. (27 April 2013). "Santambrogio wins GP Industria & Artigianato — Larciano".
2. (3 June 2013). "Santambrogio suspended by UCI for EPO positive". [[Cyclingnews.com]].
3. (3 June 2013). "Santambrogio is Vini Fantini's second Giro EPO positive". [[VeloNews]].
4. (3 June 2013). "Italian rider Mauro Santambrogio tests positive for EPO". [[BBC Sport]].
5. (3 June 2013). "Peloton's reactions to dopers a rebellion, Acquarone says".
6. "Archived copy".
7. "Home".
8. (18 December 2014). "Santambrogio tests positive for testosterone during EPO ban". [[Cyclingnews.com]].
9. (27 October 2015). "Mauro Santambrogio receives three-year ban for 2014 positive test - Cycling Weekly".