Italian track rider positive

Annalisa Cucinotta has become the second female on the Italian National Team to test positive in the past year. The 22-year-old track racer won the scratch race at the Cali World Cup in Colombia in December, but was informed that she had tested positive after the race for the anabolic steroid boldenone. Boldenone is a veterinary steroid which has a very long half-life and can show up on doping controls for more than a year after administration.

2007 World Champion Marta Bastianelli tested positive for a banned appetite stimulant in the Italian championships last year.

Confirmation of the positive test was given to Tuttobiciweb.it by national track coach Dino Salvoldi. "I am embarrassed.. Annalisa says it is not possible. We will ask for a counter-analysis," Salvoldi said.