February 09, 2013 (Italy) – The aftermath of the Lance Armstrong doping debacle now sees legendary Italian sprinter, Mario Cipollini, who last rode professionally with Rock Racing in 2008, accused of doping reports the Italian daily La Gazetta dello Sport. The accusations stem from his involvement with the Spanish Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes who is at the centre of the ongoing Puerto doping investigation.

Documents published by La Gazetta dello Sport seem to reveal intricate details of Cipollini’s doping regimen. “They list the enormous amounts of EPO, hormones and anabolic steroids (to increase strength) provided by Fuentes, as well as the detail of payments. The year is important: 2002, the unforgettably successful year for Cipollini and the sudden distancing of Super Mario from others in the sport even left his teammates stunned,” reports La Gazetta.

Cipollini, 45, scored 191 professional wins from 1989–2005. These include: UCI World Road Race Championship (2002); the Giro (Points Classification in 1992, 1997, 2002); twelve stages at the Tour de France (1993-1999); three stages at the 2002 Vuelta; and the Gent-Wevelgem (1992, 1993, 2002). At the 1999 Tour de France, he led the peloton on the fastest stage in the history of the Tour, averaging more than 50 km/h over 194.5km according to Wikipedia.

Pedal cautions readers that the charges against Cipollini remain allegations at this point and are based on circumstantial evidence.

English version of La Gazetta website HERE.