Former UAE-linked staff member Danilo Napolitano handed 20-year doping ban

Danilo Napolitano has been suspended for 20 years by the Italian anti-doping authorities. The former Italian professional cyclist received the lengthy sanction after becoming involved in a major doping case at a prominent Italian junior team. The retired sprinter had until recently been working with UAE Team L’Imad, the women’s team formerly known as UAE Team ADQ.

Napolitano raced professionally from 2001 until 2017, representing teams including Lampre, Katusha, Acqua & Sapone and Wanty-Groupe Gobert. He recorded 38 professional victories in total, with his stage win at the 2007 Giro d’Italia the biggest result of his career. After retiring from racing, he began working as a sports director in Italy’s junior cycling scene.

That role took him to Salus Ciclistica Seregno ASD, one of Italy’s leading development teams. He had been associated with the squad since ending his racing career, but NADO Italia, the country’s anti-doping agency, provisionally suspended Napolitano and team president Marco Moretto in April as part of a significant doping investigation.

Napolitano was accused of possessing a prohibited substance and administering, or attempting to administer, a banned substance to an athlete. The case was particularly serious because the World Anti-Doping Code states that an offence involving the administration of a prohibited substance to a minor can result in a lifetime ban. Following its investigation, however, the Italian authorities imposed a 20-year suspension.

Moretto received an eight-year suspension. NADO Italia has not publicly released further details about the case, but Napolitano’s recent employment makes the situation more complicated. According to road.cc, Napolitano had been working on a freelance basis at UAE Team L’Imad’s service course since late 2025. His role was described as that of a warehouse worker and staff assistant. The publication subsequently contacted the women’s team about his involvement.

Team management said it had been unaware of the anti-doping investigation involving Napolitano. It was also stressed that the alleged offences took place before he began working with UAE Team L’Imad. Napolitano’s brother, Massimiliano, works for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, where he has served as a soigneur for more than 20 years, dating back to the organisation’s time as Lampre.

A source connected to the women’s team said Napolitano had not worked with the squad at any races during the season, although road.cc reported that he continued carrying out work for the organisation while the investigation was ongoing. The team reportedly only learned about the case on Wednesday, while travelling to Switzerland for the start of the Tour de France Femmes. A UAE Team Emirates-XRG spokesperson also clarified that Napolitano had never worked for the men’s team, which operates separately from the women’s organisation. There is no indication of wrongdoing by either UAE Team L’Imad or UAE Team Emirates-XRG.