Danilo Di Luca denied at the G.P. Citta di Lugano while Eros Capecchi excels
Danilo Di Luca started his 2012 season with Team Acqua & Sapone during the G.P. Citta di Lugano 2012 in Switzerland.
Luca was tested positive for CERA during the Giro d’ Italia 2009 and was banned from professional cycling for a period of nine months and seven days.
His last appearance at the international level was back in 2011, and the cyclist joined the Russian side, Team Katusha, after serving the suspension.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport, "I’m not hiding it, I didn’t go well, and I think I suffered more than I thought I would from my inactivity".
Di Luca continued, “But I wouldn’t be putting myself back in the game if I wasn’t convinced I could return to my old levels. You know well that I don’t like just to scrape a living”.
The 36-year-old started riding professionally with Team Riso Scotti in 1998 and spent a period of one year with the side.
Danilo represented a number of teams during his extensive fifteen years career including Team Cantina Tollo-Alexia Alluminio (1999-2001), Team Saeco Macchine per Caffe (2002-2004) and finally joined Team Liquigas-Bianchi (2005-2007).
The Italian also rode for Team LPR Brakes-Ballan (2008-2009) and signed Team Katusha (2011) before finally accepting an offer from the professional continental Italian squad, Acqua & Sapone for the 2012 season.
He made his debut appearance with the team at the Swiss race and finished 27th while his compatriot, Eros Capecchi, stole the show with an impressive effort during the Elite Men category of the race.
Capecchi voiced after crossing the finish-line, “I was looking for the win because I had seen some positive signs at Laigueglia, The team tactic was to wait until the last lap, where I was assigned to try and attack”.
Damiano Cunego achieved the second position with a deficit of 4 seconds while Enrico Battaglin achieved the third spot during the race.
It was a perfect day for the Italian fans as all the podium spots were filled by the Italian cyclists.
Di Luca will now return back to his hometown Italy and will try his luck at the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Strade Bianche to continue his goals for the 2012 season.
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