ROME (AP) — Facing a possible life ban, cyclist Danilo Di Luca has been called for questioning next week by the Italian Olympic Committee after failing a surprise check before this year’s Giro d’Italia.
The 37-year-old rider tested positive for EPO in April, five days before the Giro.
The third doping offense of his career wasn’t announced until the Giro was nearly over. Di Luca was kicked out of the race while in 26th place, having fared well in several stages.
Di Luca was also banned for three months after winning the 2007 Giro for visiting a banned physician. Then he was suspended for nine months after testing positive at the 2009 race.
The hearing before the Olympic committee’s anti-doping prosecutor is scheduled for next Wednesday.
