Riccardo Riccò (Vacansoleil) has issued a statement in reaction to stories in the media that his house was raided this week and possible doping products seized. As VeloNation reported yesterday, the Italian media alleged that at least 50 pills were found in a safe in Riccò’s house, which the police considered suspicious. It was also alleged that the raid was linked to the operation known as “Cobra-Red”, which involves Riccò’s former teammate Enrico Rossi, who is also the brother of his former partner.
The Italian, who is currently riding the Circuit Franco-Belge denies that he is involved, or suspected of being involved, in any doping ring. He also claims that the pills found by the police are entirely innocent.
Riccò’s statement reads:
“In relation to recent news involving myself that appeared in the media, I feel that I must distance myself from them entirely.
“I have not been advised of any warrant, neither am I a suspect of any offence related to any ongoing investigations.
“Regarding the medicines that were discovered at my home: these are commonly used drugs that have nothing to do with doping.
“I am particularly annoyed with the article published on the website www.leggo.it, written by Angelo Camuso, towards which I intend to assess the possibility of taking action to protect my image.”
No official announcement has yet been made by the Italian authorities concerning the reasons for the raid, or what was found.