Astarloza suspended for two years for EPO

Stage winner Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel Euskadi)

Stage winner Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel Euskadi) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Mikel Astarloza has been handed a two-year ban from competition by the Spanish Cycling Federation for the use of Erythropoietin (EPO). The Spaniard, who tested positive for the illegal blood booster in a control conducted 25 days before he won a stage at the 2009 Tour de France, said he will appeal the decision.