Former pro cyclist Danilo Napolitano handed 20‑year doping ban

The Italian anti‑doping authorities imposed a 20‑year suspension on former professional cyclist Danilo Napolitano for his role in a doping case involving the junior team SALUS Ciclistica Seregno ASD. Napolitano, who was director of sport for the club, was found to have possessed and administered prohibited substances to a minor athlete, violating Articles 2.6 and 2.8 of the World Anti‑Doping Code.

The club president, Marco Moretto, was also deemed complicit and received an eight‑year ban. The sanctions follow a provisional suspension that had been in place since April, during which a lifetime ban had been considered. Napolitano, a former sprinter who won the ninth stage of the 2007 Giro d’Italia and rode for teams such as Lampre, Katusha and Wanty‑Gobert, retired from competition in 2017 before moving into team management.

The case underscores the ongoing fight against doping in cycling and the responsibility of senior officials to protect young athletes.