Bahrain-Victorious sprinter provisionally suspended by anti-doping tribunal as team also suspend rider from activities
Cycling
Bahrain-Victorious sprinter Alberto Bruttomesso has been provisionally suspended by the The Italian Anti-Doping Tribunal for violating its anti-doping rules.
The reason for the suspension cite articles 2.1 and 2.2, both relating to prohibited substances and their use. The confirmation of the suspension on Wednesday did not state the substance, timeline and test details.
The 22-year-old Italian rider has been with the team for three seasons and is currently contracted for 2027. CyclingNews reports that the case has yet to be registered by the International Testing Agency, which carries out the UCI's primary testing and results management.
"Bahrain Victorious is aware of the provisional suspension concerning Alberto Bruttomesso following an anti-doping control conducted by NADO Italia," a team statement said.
Bahrain-Victorious suspend rider from team activities with case ongoing
"The team fully supports Alberto throughout the ongoing process and will cooperate fully with the relevant anti-doping authorities as the matter is investigated.
"While the case remains ongoing, Alberto will be suspended from all team activities pending a clear and definitive outcome from the relevant anti-doping authorities and the completion of the applicable testing and review procedures.
"Bahrain Victorious remains committed to the highest standards of integrity and to respecting the established anti-doping process. Until that process has concluded, the team will make no further comment."
The Italian is yet to pick up his first professional victory, and since joining Bahrain, has picked up a third place finish in a stage of the 2024 Tour of Guangxi as well as a third place in stages at both the Tour of Antalya and CRO Race that season.
In recent months, Bruttomesso rode the Deutschland Tour, Tour of Slovenia and Copenhagen Sprint as well as the Italian National Championships. He started just one WorldTour stage race in 2026, abandoning the Itzulia Basque Country in April on stage 3.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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