A former Continental-level cyclist who participated in the 2023 Esports World Championship has been penalized by Italian anti-doping authorities for testing positive for the banned substance Stanozolol.
Luca Zanasca, representing Italy in the 2023 event, finished in 57th place. The 40-year-old athlete, whose LinkedIn profile indicates that he holds the position of Senior Development Manager at Assos, competed at the Continental level until 2012. This information was reported by the British website Cycling Weekly.
In a press release, Italian anti-doping authorities stated: “The National Anti-Doping Court, approving the request presented by the National Anti-Doping Prosecutor, provisionally suspended the athlete Luca Zanasca (a member of FCI) for violations of articles 2.1 and 2.2 (Substance detected: STANOZOLOL AND ITS METABOLITES).”
Team removes the athlete
Zanasca competed for the Esports division of Team Italia, currently known as Team Castelli p/b Elite. Due to the sanction, directors Niccolo Martinoli and Alessio Caggiula issued a joint statement confirming that Zanasca will no longer “participate in any virtual cycling events we organize and/or participate in.”
“This decision is effective immediately and applies only to activities conducted on the Zwift platform, which is our exclusive location for organizing virtual cycling events,” they clarified. “The team wishes to emphasize that no cycling competing in the elite division of Team Italia, currently known as Team Castelli p/b Elite, is under contract or has a cycling license with the team.
“We operate as an e-sports team and expect recognition of our discipline under Italian law.”