Dope of the day: Ascani outed, Pinotti benefits

It's the new way to win. You come 2nd, wait a bit and bingo! You don't get the glory on the day but what the heck, it's still on your palmares. From CN: Ascani faces suspension for EPO Italian cyclist Luca Ascani could face a two-year suspension after he tested positive for EPO at the Italian National Championships. The Italian Olympic Committee announced Friday that the 'B' sample has confirmed the initial positive result and his exact sanction will be decided at a hearing which has yet to be scheduled. Ascani tested positive after winning the time trial and was suspended on August 2. His title was handed down to second placed Marco Pinotti.

And the first dope of the day is... Luca Ascani

From Cyclingnews.com...
Luca Ascani positive for EPO The reigning Italian time trial champion Luca Ascani (Aurum Hotels) was suspended by his team following news that the rider had tested positive for EPO. The 24 year-old tested positive following his championship ride, according to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), the country's antidoping agency. His team suspended him pending the outcome of the hearing on his case. Ascani thus becomes the next in a long line of recent doping positives including Saunier Duval's Iban Mayo, Astana's Alexander Vinokourov and Matthias Kessler, T-Mobile's Patrik Sinkewitz, and fellow Italian Cristian Moreni (Cofidis).