We must still wait for the counter-analysis but Gianni Savio, manager of Androni-Sidemec, has not hesitated to make it clear that if the positive test of his rider Davide Appollonio - who tested positive for EPO in an out-of-competition control on June 14 - is confirmed, the sprinter must pay a fine of 100,000 euros.

Appollonio was informed about the positive test as he prepared to travel from Rome to Romania where he was set to do the Sibiu Tour. Savio, meanwhile, has reacted furiously. 

"I just found out and I immediately talked to my lawyer Napoleone. I preferred not to talk to the rider because I'm furious. If the counter-analysis, confirms the positive, we will be very hard, inflexible and unforgiving. Doping is a crime, so he is a criminal. And stupid," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I also want to remind him about one thing: all our riders have signed an internal health regulation. Those who violate the doping rules must pay a fine of 100,000 euros, in addition to compensation for additional damage."

Indeed, last December the riders and staff at Androni signed internal regulations according to which they will be fined 100,000 euros if they are involved in a doping case.