Riccò to become father in June

Riccardo Riccò and his girlfriend Vania Rossi announced they are expecting the birth of their first child in June. The Italian cyclist is currently serving a doping suspension for positive controls at the Tour de France in July.

"The arrival of this baby will help his dad to overcome this bad period. Now we hope that 'Ricki' becomes responsible," said Rossi to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Rossi is the current cyclo-cross champion for Italy. She has dated Riccò for the last five years.

On July 30, Riccò confessed to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) anti-doping prosecutor for the doping violations. The sporting tribunal issued him a two-year ban, through July 30, 2010.

He appealed the length to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in November. He also faces criminal charges and a six-year ban from racing in France.

Riccò has left his parents' home in Formigine (Modena) and is living in the nearby mountain town of Serramazzoni. Rossi hopes that soon the couple will buy a home together.

"But I am well here, it is only a quarter-hour from Formigine," Riccò said to the Italian newspaper. (GB)