Published May 25, 2002 01:00AM
By VeloNews Interactive wire services, Copyright AFP2002
Gilberto Simoni, who earlier this week learned that he had failed a drugs test for cocaine, has been quizzed by drugs squad officers here on Saturday.
Simoni, 30, who was forced out of the Tour of Italy where he was defending the title he won last season and who won Thursday’s 11th stage, tested positive for the drug after a surprise test on April 24.
His team claimed Wednesday that the dentist had injected him with Carbocaine – which can produce a positive test for the better-known recreational drug.
The dentist, Bruno Grosselli, has confirmed to police the explanation put forward by the rider and his team. Simoni, who is awaiting tests on his B-sample, faces a suspension of up to two years in the case the first positive test is confirmed. The Saeco rider was third overall before withdrawing from the Giro d’Italia.