The Saunier Duval cycling team on Friday sacked Riccardo Ricco' one day after the climber was thrown off the Tour de France for use of the blood booster EPO.
Also sacked was Ricco's veteran team mate Leonardo Piepoli, who was pulled from the Tour by Saunier along with the rest of team following Ricco's expulsion. Saunier said an internal inquiry had found both riders to be in ''serious'' breach of its ethics code.
''As a team we feel we are the victims of the irresponsibility of those who, because of their criminal lust for victory, jeopardise millions of euros in sponsors' investments and the job prospects of dozens of honest workers,'' a team statement said.
Ricco', 24, won two Tour stages and Piepoli, 37, one. They were lying 9th and 24th in the overall standings.
