Di Luca given two-year ban for positive doping test

FORMER Giro D'Italia winner Danilo Di Luca has been suspended for two years by the Italian Olympic Committee after testing positive for a class of blood booster EPO last year.

BANNED: Danilo Di Luca has been banned for two years by the Italian Olympic Committee following a positive blood test

The 34-year old, who won the Giro in 2007, tested positive for CERA during last year's race and was provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Federation (UCI).

But any hopes of a return for the Italian have been dashed after he was suspended until July 21, 2011 and fined 280,000 Euros by his national federation on Monday.

Di Luca insisted the punishment won't spell the end of his career and vowed to fight his case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"There is still a lot to battle for," said Di Luca. "We will turn to CAS and I remain confident.

"In any case, this will not be the end of my career. I still have a lot to give and I am convinced I will be able to return before the two years."