Rodolfo Massi

Jersey red

Jersey yellow

Jersey polkadot

Jersey yellow

Jersey gold

Jersey pink

Rodolfo Massi (born 17 September 1965 in Cesena, Italy) is a former professional road bicycle racer. He is most known for his role in the 1998 Tour de France, where he was wearing the Polka dot jersey as the leader of the King of the Mountains classification, before being arrested on doping charges.

Career

Massi turned professional in 1989 and rode for several teams during his career, including Ariostea, Mercatone Uno, and Casino. His career spanned over a decade, during which he achieved several notable successes, including stage wins in Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. However, his career was overshadowed by his involvement in doping scandals, most notably during the 1998 Tour de France.

1998 Tour de France

During the 1998 Tour de France, Massi was leading the King of the Mountains classification and was in 6th place overall when he was arrested by French police on charges of possessing and using banned substances, specifically Erythropoietin (EPO) and Corticosteroids. This event was part of a larger doping scandal that year, known as the Festina affair, which rocked the cycling world and led to increased anti-doping measures within the sport.

Massi denied the charges against him, claiming that the substances were for personal use due to health problems. However, he was expelled from the race and later served a suspension from professional cycling.

Post-Cycling Career

After retiring from professional cycling, Massi has remained somewhat involved in the sport, working as a coach and mentor for young cyclists. His case remains a significant example of the doping issues that have plagued professional cycling, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Legacy

Rodolfo Massi's career is a reminder of the dark era of doping in cycling. Despite his achievements on the road, his legacy is marred by his association with one of the sport's biggest doping scandals. His story is often cited in discussions about the need for stringent anti-doping measures and the ethical responsibilities of professional athletes.