Some very unsavoury practices have been unearthed, with riders routinely paying pro teams to take them into their squads.
An investigative report in an Italian newspaper has alleged riders are paying their way onto professional cycling teams, with one whistleblower claiming some pay as much as €50,000 just to race.
Team managers with some of the country’s most established teams have all denied such a practice takes place.
But several agents working on behalf of riders have told the Corriere dello Sport newspaper that their clients are being manipulated so as to call themselves professionals.
“Most of my riders pay, between €25,000 and €50,000,” an unnamed agent told Corriere della Sera.
“Teams registered in Italy ask for more because they have to pay higher pension contributions, those in the Ukraine or Croatia much less.
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He explained sometimes the riders’ parents or relatives pay because they want a professional rider in their family.
"Sometimes a ‘friendly’ company pays and if the sum is high enough can even secure a place on the team jersey,” the same agent added.
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One of the country’s best talents in recent years, Matteo Mammini , told how he was asked to pay €50,000 to turn pro.
He explained when he was asked to dinner by a pro team manager and told his contract was prepared and ready to be signed he thought all his hard work had finally paid off.
“There was just one problem, I’d have to find the €50,000 to cover my wages," he told the newspaper.
"I was shocked but the manager told me of eight or nine of his riders who paid their wages. I asked my bank for loan but invested it in opening a bar in Porlezza overlooking Lake Lugano. That’s my job now. My cycling dream ended terribly.”
Matteo Mammini starting the U23 TT at the World Road Championships in 2012.
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