Ricco admits taking EPO before the Tour

ROME: Italian Riccardo Ricco admitted on Wednesday that he took the blood-booster EPO before this month's Tour de France.

Ricco, who tested positive in a doping control after the fourth stage of the three-week race, could face a two-year ban after appearing before the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor.

"I came here and I have explained the error I made, I think you all know 13 days ago the position that I was in, I think I have made a good gesture for everyone to have admitted my mistakes," Ricco told reporters.