Riccardo Ricco has denied any involvement in the positive doping test of his partner Vania Rossi. The Italian cross rider has been testet positive for Cera at the national cross championships, her boyfriend Ricco had used the same substance and was caught during the 2008 Tour de France. “It is a strange situation, but I have nothing to do with it,” Ricco told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I trust her. If she tells me something, I would believe her. I don’t think she’s lying. At least I hope, because otherwise it would be a fiasco as our baby is involved.”

Rossi was suspended by the Italian Olympic Committee CONI, but the 26 year-old denies doping. Rossi and Ricco have a six months old baby. Rossi admitted she was brestfeeding the baby which was heavily critisised by doctors as the Cera substance were transfered to the baby with the feeding.

Ricco explained he hasn’t been home for three months and doesn’t know more than anybody else. “Now they add two and two and ask who gave it to her. I will be guilty again,” said Ricco. The climber also doesn’t like Rossi to cycle. “People know I don’t like it. Cycling is not for women, it is too painful.”

Ricco himself is suspended until March 19. He is already training with his new team Flaminia-Bianchi in Tuscany and is hoping to get a wildcard for this year’s Giro d’Italia, a race where he had already finished second overall in 2008.