On 6 February 2011 Riccò was admitted to a hospital in critical condition, with sepsis and kidney failure, allegedly due to a blood transfusion he performed on himself with 25-day-old blood. Riccò admitted to the doctor treating him that he had performed the transfusion in the presence of his girlfriend Vania Rossi. The doctor reported this information to authorities leading to an investigation being opened against the professional cyclist by police and the Italian Olympic committee (CONI). Riccò was released from the hospital within two weeks, and was subsequently sacked by his team . Riccò later denied blood doping, but also stated that he was finished with the sport and that he wanted to train to become a barista. He later changed his mind and said he would indeed like to race again.