THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ROME — Eddy Mazzoleni, who finished third in last year’s Giro d’Italia, has been banned for two years for his involvement in a doping scandal.
Mazzoleni has been linked to Carlo Santuccione, an Italian doctor who allegedly provided doping products to athletes. Santuccione is at the centre of a four-year-old case nicknamed "Oil for Drugs."
The Italian cycling federation imposed the ban Monday on the recommendation of anti-doping prosecutors with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). Mazzoleni can appeal the decision.
The federation also banned Domenico Quagliarello for life on request by CONI for his involvement in the same case.
The federation said Tuesday that both riders were suspended for attempted use of either a prohibited substance or method. Quagliarello received the stiffer penalty because he was banned for doping in 2002.
Mazzoleni quit the Astana team in July after it suspended him pending the outcome of the investigation. He has denied any wrongdoing.