The 2013 Giro d’Italia suffers another blow today as Gazzetta dello Sport announces that Danilo Di Luca (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) has tested positive for EPO. The 37-year-old self-styled “Killer of Spoltore” was reportedly tested on April 29th, just three days after having signed for the giallo flou team, in a surprise out of competition control.
Having already served a long suspension after having tested positive for third-generation EPO, CERA, in the 2009 Giro - as well as previously having been suspended for three months for his part in the “oil for drugs” case - Di Luca may now be looking at a life ban for the sport if his positive is confirmed by an admission or a test of his B-sample.
Originally team-less this season, after the winding up of the Acqua e Sapone squad, Di Luca signed for Vini Fantini-Selle Italia on April 26th in order to have one final crack at the Giro d’Italia, a race he won in 2007. He made a strong return to the peloton, despite not having raced since the previous October, finishing tenth in the GP Industria & Artigianato Larciano and sixth in the Giro della Toscana, before lining up to start the Giro.
Di Luca had been aggressive in many stages, putting in late attacks on several occasions, but was unable to win a stage. His best result was third place on the rainy day into Pescara on stage 7, although a strong ride in yesterday’s mountain time trial saw him finish tenth, just 1’52” behind the winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).
Di Luca was placed 26th overall, 33’33” behind Nibali in the general classification.