 Further exhaustive tests by the UCI confirmed that Riccò's hematocrit level was naturally over 50%.This has since been questioned however when, on 17 July 2008, it was revealed that Riccò had a non negative test for EPO, the hematocrit boosting drug, following the Tour de France stage 4 time trial at Cholet.It has since been suggested by fellow professional rider Jérôme Pineau that Riccò openly doped even as a junior rider.