Moreni banned for two years for failing Tour dope test

MILAN, Nov 22 (Reuters) Cristian Moreni has been banned for two years after testing positive for excess testosterone during the Tour de France, the Italian Cycling Federation said today.

Moreni's positive test after the 11th stage in July led to to his team Cofidis pulling out of a race marred by doping allegations.

The federation's disciplinary commission acted on a recommendation from Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI), which acts as Italy's anti-doping body and has been rigorously cracking down on cheats.

However, Italy's cycling federation has not always rubberstamped CONI's requests and caused a storm in July when they rejected a recommendation for Alessandro Petacchi to be banned for testing positive for excess levels of salbutamol.

Petacchi argued he used the substance in his asthma inhaler, for which he had a medical certificate. The case is now with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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