Ascani banned for two years

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) upheld the two-year ban of Luca Ascani, the rider who won the Italian national championship time trial and subsequently tested positive for EPO in the post-race doping control.

Ascani beat Marco Pinotti in the 42.8 kilometre event, but then traces of EPO were found in his A-sample. He was suspended on August 2, 2007, and after his B-sample confirmed the result his title was handed to Pinotti.

Ascani denied ever using the blood boosting hormone, and appealed his suspension.