Two former staffers at disgraced W52-FC Porto face prison for their roles in the team's doping programme
Two of W52-FC Porto key staff have received prison sentences three years after the Portuguese Continental team's wide-spread doping practices came to light in spring 2022, resulting in the suspension of seven riders (of a 12-man roster) and the withdrawal of their UCI license.
Former coach Adriano Quintanilha received no less than four years as the judge singled him out for conceiving of the plan, while sports director Nuno Ribeiro, who was first arrested in April 2022, received a nine-month sentence for his key role in supplying the performance-enhancing drugs, along with instructions on safe use and how to avoid detection.
Accountant Hugo Veloso and team owner Calvário Várzea Cycling Club Association were also found guilty, respectively receiving a suspended sentence (three years and four months) and €57,000 fine. The riders, meanwhile, were acquitted for being the 'weakest link' in the setup.
