THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ROME — A sports judge has named a panel of experts to examine doping accusations against Danilo Di Luca, which could result in a two-year ban for the Italian rider and the loss of his Giro d’Italia title.
Di Luca did not show up at the Italian Olympic Committee hearing. His lawyers said the rider was competing at the Settimana Lombarda race in northern Italy that began Tuesday. Di Luca’s brother, Massimo, attended.
The Olympic committee, known as CONI, is seeking the maximum punishment — 24 months — for an irregular test during Di Luca’s victory at last year’s Giro.
A CONI test found hormone levels in Di Luca’s system that normally correspond to a child, but no banned substance was reported.
The abnormal test came after the 17th stage May 30, a climb up Monte Zoncolan that was considered the toughest in the race. Di Luca finished fourth in the stage, 31 seconds behind winner Gilberto Simoni.
Di Luca’s defence maintained that he drank so much water after the stage that his hormone levels dropped sharply.
CONI maintains that Di Luca was given a plasma infusion between the end of the stage and the CONI test, since normal levels were found in Di Luca’s system in the routine test taken immediately after the stage ended in mid-afternoon. The surprise test was administered several hours later, after 9 p.m.
“There is no other explanation,” said Fabio Filocamo, the lawyer who delivered the anti-doping prosecution’s closing argument. “This rider — who won the Giro d’Italia — had hormone levels of a child. It’s not like you can just say, ‘I drank some water.’
“There is no doubt. This is a very serious accusation. Perhaps one of the most serious we have encountered.”
Giuseppe Remuzzi, a technical consultant for the defence team, countered: “We’re talking about lower levels when faced with a lower concentration.”
Another defence expert doubted the accuracy of the test.
“You can’t conclude unequivocally that the reduction of levels is due to an infusion,” Giuseppe Pieraccini said. “I’m a runner and after a heavy workout I rehydrated myself with a liter of water and the density of my urine lowered drastically.”
After hearing arguments, CONI judge Francesco Plotino handed over the evidence to four experts for further analysis. A new session to hear their findings was set for April 16.
Di Luca recently served a three-month ban for a separate case tying him to Italian doctor Carlo Santuccione, who allegedly provided athletes with banned substances.
Di Luca has always denied doping and has indicated he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if CONI rules against him. While the rider did not show up for the hearing, his lawyer, Federico Cecconi, and a team of technical experts on his defense team did attend.
“It’s important that it be a serene judgment,” Di Luca was quoted as saying in Tuesday’s Gazzetta dello Sport. “My presence in Rome was not necessary.”
If Di Luca is banned, he risks being stripped of the Giro title, which could then go to runner-up Andy Schleck of Luxembourg.