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Giro d’Italia director Acquarone suspended by race’s organizing company

Michele Acquarone, the Giro d’Italia’s race director, has been given a precautionary suspension from his duties by RCS Sport, the Grand Tour’s organizers, during an external audit of the company investigating possible fraud.

Financial newspaper Milano Finanza reported that Acquarone, who took over as Giro director from Angelo Zomegnan after the problem-plagued 2011 Giro, was suspended along with former RCS Sport CEO Giacomo Catano after a discrepancy of 13 million Euros was discovered in RCS Sport’s finances.

RCS Sport is part of Milan-based RCS Media Group. Catano has been moved to a position within the parent company while Acquarone is on leave. Last week RCS Sport’s administrative director Laura Bertinotti resigned from her position. RCS Media Group has also placed RCS Sport under the control of its publicity wing.

Acquarone won’t be on hand Monday in Milan for the full unveiling of the 2014 corsa rosa, which will begin Friday, May 9 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and conclude on June 1 in Trieste.