Doping & Cheating
Veteran Esports Racer Faces Suspension Following Anti-Doping Test
A doping scandal has unfolded in the esports realm as 40-year-old Italian racer, Luca Zanasca, faces suspension following a failed anti-doping test. The seasoned racer represented Italy in the 2023 UCI Esports World Championships, a prestigious event in the virtual racing community. The news strikes as a stern reminder that the esports sphere is not impervious to traditional sports controversies.
Anti-Doping Test Results
Zanasca, a former Continental level racer, was ensnared by Italian anti-doping authorities post his participation in the 2023 championship, where he secured the 57th position. The tests revealed the presence of the banned steroid Stanozolol in his system, prompting an immediate provisional suspension. According to official statements from the Italian Anti-Doping authorities, the National Anti-Doping Tribunal acknowledged the violation under articles 2.1 and 2.2 pertaining to the detected substance and its metabolites.
Awaiting Official Verdict
While the exact date of the test, conducted by NADO Italia, remains undisclosed, Zanasca now faces an impending investigation and trial before any formal ban is instituted. This incident propels him into a whirlpool of legal and professional repercussions, marking a stain on his reputable career that transitioned from real-world racing tracks to the virtual circuits of Zwift.
Team’s Response
In the wake of this scandal, Team Italy’s elite esports division, currently dubbed Team Castelli p/b Elite, responded swiftly. Managers Niccolo Martinoli and Alessio Caggiula affirmed Zanasca’s exclusion from any forthcoming virtual cycling events hosted or participated in by the team. This decision, effective immediately, underscores the team’s endeavor to uphold integrity and fair play, especially on the Zwift platform – their exclusive venue for organizing virtual cycling events.
Awaiting Legal Recognition
Moreover, the statement shed light on the team’s status, emphasizing that riders, including Zanasca, are not under contract or hold a cycling license with the team. As an esports entity, Team Castelli p/b Elite anticipates the legal recognition of their discipline under Italian law, which could potentially influence how such doping incidents are handled in the future.
Impact on the Esports Community
The unfolding scenario accentuates the parallels between traditional and esports racing, especially as virtual platforms like Zwift and MyWhoosh gain traction in hosting prominent competitions like the UCI Esports World Championships. With the torch passing to MyWhoosh for hosting the championships from 2024 to 2026, the esports community will be keen on observing how doping regulations and enforcement evolve in the digital arena.
Image source: Bici da Strada
