Cycling: Linas Rumsas passed away in May 2017 as a hopeful talent. Raimondas Rumsas' son was only 21 years old. As the public prosecutor assumes, the Lithuanian died after taking banned doping substances. After several house searches and investigations, the Italian police have now arrested six people. There are also said to be other suspects. Just a few months ago, Raimondas' second son was caught and banned.
Partnership to promote doping practices
Yesterday, Thursday, the public prosecutor's office in the Tuscan city of Lucca informed the public about the latest developments in the Case Rumsa informed. Accordingly, after the death of Linas on May 2, 2017, extensive investigations were started. These included, among other things, house searches at father Raimondas Rumsas and other suspects. According to AFP, the investigation uncovered a partnership to promote doping practices surrounding team owner Luca Franceschi.
Police spokesman:
"Since Linas Rumsas was able to achieve excellent placings in particularly difficult races in the weeks before his death, the suspicion immediately arose that the sudden death was due to the misuse of unauthorized means."
Employees of the Altopack-Eppela team in custody
In addition to team owner Luca Franceschi, other employees of the Altopack-Eppela team are also in custody, including sporting director Elso Frediani, coach Michele Viola and pharmacist Andrea Bianchi. Also under suspicion are a number of cyclists, a lawyer and a sports doctor. All are accused of supporting, promoting or even organizing the doping practices. According to AFP, Franceschi "recruited the most promising cyclists" have. Then he did "motivates them to take drugs and procure doping substances, including microdose EPO."