Italian Luca Ascani, who tested positive for EPO (Erythropoietin) after taking top spot in the national time trial championships, has been heard by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri. The 24 year-old cyclist from Le Marche stated that he never took performance drugs according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ascani tested positive for EPO following the national event in Novi Ligure on June 26, and faces up to a two-year ban. Torri is expected to hand over a decision to the Italian cycling federation (FCI) disciplinary commission in the following week.
