Italian Davide Rebellin started his pro career before some of the top riders in the peloton today were even born. He came back from a ban for a doping offence more than 10 years ago. Above, winning in Indonesia and taking the yellow, points and climbers’ jerseys today.
Davide Rebellin (46) claims latest pro win
Currently in his 26th year as a professional cyclist Davide Rebellin has just taken his latest victory at the age of 46 years.
The veteran Italian is now riding for Kuwait-Cartucho.es, a Continental level team.
He claimed victory on the opening stage of the International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (2.2) in Indonesia.
Rebellin took a solo victory, by 1:35, from Austrian Drew Morley (21) of the Terengganu Cycling Team.
Another Australian, Marcus Cully (23) of St George Continental, finished in 3rd place.
Neither rider finishing behind Rebellin, who served a doping ban for EPO-Cera, was born when his pro career started.
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Rebellin had ridden for Polish ProConti team CCC Sprandi Polkowice for four years, switching after last season.
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He scored some big wins for the team including the Giro d'Emillia in 2014. The following year he won the Coppa Agostoni and a stage of the Tour of Turkey.
In his prime he won the Ardennes treble in 2004; Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Rebellin would then go on to win Flèche Wallonne twice more; in 2007 and 2009.
However, by the time he took that 2009 victory he was in trouble for doping.
The previous year he’d taken silver at the Beijing Olympics but his sample was positive for EPO-Cera.
He was riding for Gerolsteiner in 2008, the team that also produced Stefan Schumacher and Bernhard Kohl.
Both of those riders were also caught doping; using EPO-Cera.
Rebellin’s 2008 adverse result was only announced in April of the following year.
A two-year ban was handed down and while he came back after the ban his name is always inextricably linked to doping.
He returned to racing with Italian Continental team Miche-Guerciotti and then Meridiana Kamen from Croatia.
He progressed on to the ProConti ranks with CCC Polsat-Polkowice in 2013. Davide Rebellin has won 15 races since his return.
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