Doping in Esports! A 40-year-old Italian tested positive after racing World Championships

A former Continental-level rider who competed in the 2023 Esports World Championships has been sanctioned by Italian anti-doping authorities after testing positive for the banned substance Stanozolol.

Luca Zanasca, Italy's representative at the 2023 event, finished 57th. The 40-year-old athlete, who, according to his LinkedIn profile, works as Senior Development Manager for Assos, participated at the Continental level until 2012. The information has been brought forward by the folks at CyclingWeekly.

In a press release, the Italian anti-doping authorities stated, "The National Anti-Doping Court, approving the request submitted by the National Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office, has provisionally suspended the athlete Luca Zanasca (FCI member) for violating articles 2.1 and 2.2 (Substance detected: STANOZOLOLOL AND ITS METABOLITES)."

The date of the test, conducted by NADO Italy, has not been specified. Zanasca will have to face an investigation and trial before any sanctions can be imposed. Zanasca competed for Team Italia's Esports division, currently known as Team Castelli p/b Elite. In light of the sanction, directors Niccolo Martinoli and Alessio Caggiula issued a joint statement, confirming that Zanasca will no longer "participate in any virtual cycling events that we organize and/or in which he participates."

They also added: "This decision is effective immediately and applies only to activities conducted on the Zwift platform, which is our exclusive venue for the organization of virtual cycling events." They also clarified: "The team wishes to emphasize that no rider competing in Team Italia's elite division, currently known as Team Castelli p/b Elite, is under contract or holds a cycling license with the team.

"We operate as an e-sports team and look forward to the recognition of our discipline under Italian law."

Article written by Juan Larra.