CAS upholds Ascani suspension

By Agence France Presse

The International Court of Arbitration upheld a two-year doping ban against deposed Italian time-trial champion Luca Ascani in a ruling issued Monday.

The court, however, moved the start date of the suspension back to August 4, 2007, instead of February 27, 2008.

The Italian cyclist had appealed against a doping ban, imposed by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) after he tested positive for blood-boosting drug EPO following the time trial at the Italian road cycling championships on June 26, 2007.

Ascani won that race, but was disqualified after testing positive. Then T-Mobile rider Marco Pinotti (now with Columbia-High Road) was given the title, following Ascani’s suspension.

FILED UNDER: Road