Cycling: Ricco fired after dope probe

Italian rider Riccardo Ricco again cycling March, after a suspension of 20 months for doping.Riccardo Ricco contract terminated by its Dutch cycling team VacansoleilThe move follows an internal investigation into claims that he did transfusionRicco of blood was admitted to a hospital italiano this month with a high fever and KIDNEY problemsItalian media claimed that the 27-year-old fell ill after injecting infected blood

(CNN)-Riccardo Ricco was fired for Vacansoleil cycling team on Saturday after the investigation into claims that the Italian gave even a blood transfusion.

Ricco, who returned to the sport last March after being handed a 20-month ban for doping during the Tour de France 2008, was hospitalized in a hospital in Modena at the beginning of this month.

The 27-year-old, whose father said was suffering from high fever and suspicion of renal insufficiency, was suspended for Vacansoleil in February.

After the suspension of the investigation was continued and Ricco has the opportunity to reflect its views on the subject, "Dutch team site reported on Saturday.

"Ricco was fired on the spot today. The violation of internal rules and other indications for such a measure. Ricco today was informed by registered letter of dismissal. "

Ricco was fired on the spot today. The violation of internal rules and other indications for such a measure
-Vacansoleil team Declaration

Vacansoleil, who signed Ricco on a two year contract from Ceramica Flaminia of Italy in August, said he had "a zero tolerance policy on the use of doping".

The Italian press claimed that Ricco admits to doctors that he had become ill injecting contaminated blood, and the country's Olympic Committee said subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against him.

Blood doping-an action that increases the amount of red blood cells available to carry oxygen to the muscles-has been a problem in cycling for a number of years, with the winner of the Tour de France doom 2006 Floyd Landis admitted last year that he doped with blood during his career.

Blood cells are not damaged by freezing, consequently "doper blood" can remove the blood from your body, securely store it and defecting when increased aerobic capacity and endurance is required.

However, if the blood is stored incorrectly, can be infected, resulting in serious illness if transfusion.

The practice of blood doping is forbidden by all official governing bodies sporting and Ricco now faces expulsion from competitive cycling if found guilty, as well as a possible prison sentence in a country where all forms of doping are classified as illegal.

Ricco has yet to respond to claims that surround his hospitalization. He faces a ban on possible life cycle and a prison sentence.

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