Francesco Reda who was kicked out of An Post Rás receives 8 year ban for EPO use

In July last year at the Italian National Championships, Francesco Reda (Team Idea 2010 ASD) tested positive for EPO. It followed on from his surprising second place finish behind Vincenzo Nibali at the race.

Italiy’s Anti-Doping tribunal have confirmed today that the 33 year-old from Cosenza will be banned for eight years. He was also stripped of his silver medal at the Italian nationals. He will also have to pay a fine of €600 and costs of €00.

Reda’s suspension will start from 14 January 2016, but the eight year sentence has been reduced by two months meaning he can return on November 14 2023.

2015 had been Reda’s first season back in the peloton following a 14-month ban for refusing to undergo a doping test in 2013 while riding for the Androni – Giocattoli team.

He had originally been banned for two years, but his sentence was reduced after he cooperated with the Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC).

Earlier last season, Reda won the first stage of An Post Rás. However, he was subsequently kicked out of the race for taking a tow from a race vehicle. Afterwards, he tweeted a message saying “the stench of s**t Irish sheep from the head to the UCI jury the tour Ireland and the organizations.”