Riccardo Ricco begins work with Aldo Sassi
Riccardo Ricco has been all but blacklisted since he tested positive for banned blood-booster CERA at the Tour de France in 2008.
His team, Vacansoleil, was denied a spot at the Giro di Lombardia in October due to Ricco’s presence on the team.
But this week Ricco will begin repairing his image by starting his work with respected cycling coach and anti-doping expert Professor Aldo Sassi.
"Ricco seems to be taking the road towards a resurrection in preparing with Professor Sassi," said Angelo Zomegnan to
Gazzetta TV recently. "It’s a good point for him."
The Italian climbing specialist arrived at the Mapei Centre in Castellanza on Tuesday to begin working with the coach to whom Cadel Evans dedicated his 2009 World Championships victory to. In addition to working with Ricco, Sassi
is also training fellow Italians Ivan Basso and Damiano Cunego.
Working with Sassi is a surefire way for a rider to prove he is clean, since it involves perhaps the strictest testing regiment in the sport, including whole-body hemoglobin measurements.
"I’ve got a special relationship with (Mapei owner) Squinzi, Sassi and all the staff at the Mapei Centre," said Basso of Sassi’s program.
"I feel part of the group and when I go into Aldo’s office and close the door, there is a special rapport. He admires me as a rider, but especially as a person."
RCS Sport, the organizers of the Giro di Lombardia and the Giro d’Italia have already suggested that Ricco’s involvement with Sassi is enough to get him back into their races.
Ricco will also carry the burden of being the professor’s "last bet" since Sassi is suffering from advanced, untreatable brain cancer. As reported by
La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sassi told Ricco, "I have a life expectancy that goes as far as July: you’re my last gamble."
"He has four untreatable tumours in the upper part of his brain. Just for him to make the trip out here was something," said Cadel Evans of Sassi’s attendance at the 2010 World Championships.
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