Italian cyclist Petacchi cleared of doping

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

ROME (AFP) — The Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) on Tuesday cleared Alessandro Petacchi of doping at this year's Giro D'Italia.

The 33-year-old Italian sprinter escaped punishment despite being charged with the offence by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on July 4.

CONI had recommended to the FCI that Petacchi be banned from cycling for 12 months after a urine sample he gave at Pinerolo on May 23 showed an unusually high level of salbutamol, a substance primarily used to treat asthma.

Salbutamol is a banned substance but riders suffering from asthma are allowed restricted use of the drug if they have a medical certificate.

Petacchi, who has such a certificate having suffered from asthma for many years, put the excessive amount of salbutamol in...