Full name Mauro Santambrogio Rider type Climber Weight 63 kg Discipline Road Height 1.73 m | Name Mauro Santambrogio Nickname Santa 2004–2005 LPR-Piacenza | |
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Role Professional Road Racing Cyclist Competitors Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins Similar People Cadel Evans, Franco Pellizotti, Allan Davis, Alberto Contador, Thor Hushovd | ||
Current team Amore & Vita-Selle SMP | ||
Santambrogio at the BMC Racing Team car
Mauro Santambrogio (born 7 October 1984 in Erba) is former Italian professional road racing cyclist, who last rode for UCI Continental team Amore & Vita–Selle SMP and is currently banned until October 2017 for a second doping positive.
Contents
The Week in Bike #49 - The Doping Episode
Career
Until 2009, Santambrogio rode for Lampre–NGC, and after the 2009 season he changed to BMC Racing Team. 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 Vini Fantini–Selle Italia. He made an excellent 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 (1.2 mi) 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 October 22, 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.