Moreni to pay UCI salary fine

Cristian Moreni will be the first cyclist to pay the International Cycling Union (UCI) a year's salary for failing an anti-doping test.

"Moreni came to our headquarters last week and we defined payment terms," UCI President Pat McQuaid told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The UCI introduced an anti-doping agreement June 19, 2007, to strengthen its fight against doping. It established a minimum two-year suspension and required offenders to pay a year's salary as a fine. The UCI will use the fine to fund its anti-doping programmes.

Italy's Moreni tested positive for Testosterone following stage 11 to Montpellier at the 2007 Tour de France, July 19.

"No one has paid up until now," said McQuaid. "[Alexander] Vinokourov, [Andrey] Kashechkin and [Michael] Rasmussen, all positive in 2007, have appealed the decision to CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport] and we are waiting its decision."

Moreni won the Italian Championships in 2004. His French Cofidis team withdrew from the 2007 Tour de France after the UCI confirmed the results six days later, on the stage to Col d'Aubisque.

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