Kidding aside, it seems as though Italian female cycling races are very competitive to the point that they even use male anabolic hormones to enhance their energy and stamina. Annalisa Cucinotta, an Italian track cyclist star, joins the many other female Italian athletes who were found positive for their use of steroids. The female athlete failed a test right after the World Cup event in Cali, Colombo, where she won a gold medal on December 12 as reported by sports newspapers. Annalisa also won the bronze in the team pursuit, but was later on informed that she had been tested positive for the use of the anabolic steroid boldenone.

A veterinary steroid, Boldenone has a very long half-life and can even be seen on doping controls even after a year of initial administration. However, it continues to be a very popular steroid. This particular type of steroid is highly anabolic, and slightly androgenic. It is normally taken together with other steroids like testosterone. Boldenone has one distinct benefit and that is, it increases protein synthesis found in the cells of the muscles.

Muscles are more likely to gain much more slowly, but are of better quality as compared to the normal fast muscle gain episodes that could expected with the use of testosterone. This particular steroid stays active inside the body much longer than other types of testosterones. This makes it a poor choice for athletes who, at any time, are subject to be drug tested. This latest development has added to the disappointment of Italian track cycling fans, particularly those of Annalisa’s, who had such a promising career ahead of her.

After three long years at Michela Fanini, Cucinotta was scheduled to join Top Girls - Fassa Bortolo this season. Her biggest and highly acclaimed wins on the road are two stage wins at the 2006 Eko Tour Dookola and a second place in the 2006 GP Liberazione, which she finished fourth in last year. She also won the Classica Città di Padova last year. Hers however, is not an isolated case. Annalisa Cucinotta is the second Italian female athlete on the National Team to be tested positive for the use of steroids.

During the 2007 Italian world road race, champion Marta Bastianelli had tested positive for doping right before the Olympics. On July 5, the young female road race champion tested positive for the ’stimulant’ fenfluramine at the European under-23 championship in Verbania.  CONI (the Italian Olympic Committee) declared her ineligible to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Renato Di Rocco, president of the Italian cycling federation was more subdued in dealing with his personal take on the issue and revealed that there is great possibility for the federation to request for further tests.

“She [Bastianelli] has been incredibly naive,” said Di Rocco. “She has tested positive for flenfluramine, which is a component in diet products. She only eats salad. “Now we will immediately call for a counter-analysis. But the problem is not only the Olympics, which she as world champion was obviously due to take part in. The problem is for her image and for that of cycling.”

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