Mauro Santambrogio (1984) has been handed a three-year ban for his second positive test for testosterone one year ago. The Italian rider has not raced at the highest level since 2013 after receiving a first penalty of 18 months for a positive EPO test at the Giro d'Italia.

Santambrogio gave an adverse analytical finding for testosterone doping control on October 22, ten days before the end of his previous sanction, and after he had announced his move to Amore & Vita. Now the UCI has confirmed a penalty of three years until October 21, 2017. The Italian rider was suspended for two years for his EPO position at the 2013 Giro d'Italia but had his bad reduced to 18 months as he cooperated with authorities.

Santambrogio has claimed that the latest positive was due to a testosterone treatment which he underwent to solve infertility problems. Now he announces his retirement.

"I respect the decision of UCI, but it is a long time now that I have decided to change my life. I just want to say that I don’t think the ban is fair because I explained everything at the time. Now I want to focus on my new life and look to the future. Racing is part of my past and to be clear I want to say that I’ve definitely retired from racing and will not be back," he tells Tuttobiciweb.