Cyclist Di Luca handed fine and two-year ban
- Published: 1/02/2010 at 10:53 PM
- Online news: Sports
Italian Danilo Di Luca was handed a two-year doping ban and a hefty fine by the Italian Olympic Commitee (CONI) on Monday.
Italian Danilo Di Luca, seen here in 2009, was handed a two-year doping ban and a hefty fine by the Italian Olympic Commitee (CONI)
Di Luca, the 2007 Tour of Italy champion, finished second to Russia's Denis Menchov in a thrilling finish to last year's race.
But the weeks that followed were decidedly less exciting for the Italian, who had become a target for doping controllers due to anomalies in the blood parameters on his biological passport.
Di Luca was informed that samples provided during the three-week race had tested positive twice for the latest generation of the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin), called CERA.
After an immediate provisional suspension by the International Cycling Union (UCI), CONI's anti-doping chief Ettore Torri in December requested a three-year ban for Di Luca, adding a year for "aggravating circumstances".
Di Luca has been embroiled in doping scandals before, notably the 'Oil for Drugs' affair that led to a three-month suspension at the end of 2007.
As well as a two-year ban that is likely to be accepted by the UCI, the 34-year-old -- who also has a number of one-day classic wins to his name -- was handed a fine of 280,000 euros.
His two-year suspension was back-dated to begin on July 22, 2009 -- when his last positive test was announced.
About the author
- Writer: AFP News agency
- Position: Agence France-Presse
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