31 Jul 2008

Cyclist admits taking EPO

11:57 am on 31 July 2008

The Italian cyclist who was thrown out of the Tour de France for taking the drug EPO says the tests to catch athletes using the blood booster are not good enough.

Riccardo Ricci has admitted to the Italian Olympic Committee that he took EPO before the start of the tour, but says that of the 10 tests he took during the race only two had been positive.

Ricco, who is facing a two-year ban, says there is clearly a problem with testing procedures.