De Bonis out of Lugano

By Susan Westemeyer

Gerolsteiner has withdrawn Francesco De Bonis from its line-up for this weekend's Gran Premio di Lugano, and will hold him out of competition for two weeks. The Italian is being treated with cortisone for a bee sting, and under the regulations of the Movement for Credible Cycling, he may not ride, even with a therapeutic use exemption.

"Team Gerolsteiner voluntarily withdraws Francesco De Bonis from competition because he must be treated with cortisone," announced team manager Hans-Michael Holczer on Thursday. "Gerolsteiner is a member of the MPCC (Mouvement pour un Cyclisme Credible). Under its rules, the rider must immediately be declared unfit for competition for two weeks."

De Bonis' place in the GP Lugano will be taken by Fabian Wegmann.