Lance Armstrong’s doping guru Ferrari named in WADA's banned list
"WADA is increasingly of the belief that athletes do not dope alone" says anti-doping organisation as it lists banned sports personnel
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter


The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) named Michele Ferrari, Lance Armstrong's long-term training guru, in a list of 114 banned support personnel it published on Monday. An association with those named on the list by athletes – even if not caught doping – can lead to a suspension.
The 62-year-old Italian was banned from working with athletes in his own country in 2002 and blocked worldwide in the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) case against Armstrong in 2012.
The agency's work showed Ferrari helped Armstrong with EPO, testosterone and blood transfusions during the years he became a Tour de France star. Armstrong lost it all, however, after the case ended. He received a life-time ban and was stripped of his seven Tour titles.
The Program, a film about Ferrari and Armstrong, is out October 16.
"WADA is increasingly of the belief that athletes do not dope alone, and that often there is a member of their entourage encouraging them to cheat," said WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie.
>>> The Ferrari system uncovered
"This new 'Prohibited Association' rule sends a clear message to athletes: do not associate with individuals that have breached anti-doping rules as they could encourage you to cheat the system and to rob your fellow athletes of their right to clean sport."
In Italy, Ferrari's clients – from Filippo Pozzato (Lampre-Merida) to Michele Scarponi (Astana) – served bans over the past years simply based on their association with the man known as 'Doctor Evil'.
On the list published, which WADA said that it will continually update, 61 are Italian. Philip Tinklin is the only Briton named. The father of five boxers received a life-time ban for steroid trafficking.
Sky's former doctor, Belgian Geert Leinders is on the list and banned for life for his work in previous teams.
>>> David Brailsford on Geert Leinders, and why telling the truth is only part of the process
Among the Italians are Guido Nigrelli, owner of the pharmacy at the centre of the Mantova investigation that brought a ban for former world champion Alessandro Ballan, and Carlo Santuccione, who ‘helped’ Danilo Di Luca and Riccardo Riccò and received a life-time ban in the Oil for Drugs case.
Working with the listed people violates WADA's Prohibited Association article 2.10.
"By publishing this list, WADA is helping athletes know which individuals to evade if they are to avoid violating the rules themselves.
“This list will also assist ADOs (Anti-doping Organisations) as it is their responsibility to advise their athletes of the support personnel that have 'disqualifying status' and the consequences of such association."
WADA published the full list and a related article on its website.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Rohan Dennis takes men's time trial gold medal at Commonwealth Games as Geraint Thomas crashes
Dennis powered around the course with unerring consistency, while Fred Wright picked up the silver medal
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Grace Brown takes women's time trial gold medal at Commonwealth Games as Anna Henderson settles for silver
The Australian stormed around the 28.8km circuit to win in Wolverhampton with a time of 40-05
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
By Jonny Long • Published
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long • Published
-
German former rider receives nine year doping ban and stripped of 11 years worth of results
Björn Thurau retired from racing at the end of 2019
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Doping ban for former Trek-Segafredo rider upheld after his appeal fails
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the four-year ban for the 36-year-old
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Delko rider banned for doping says he tested positive after eye surgery
A Delko rider banned for doping has claimed he tested positive after having eye surgery.
By Alex Ballinger • Published