Italian rider Ricco banned for two years

By Paul Virgo

ROME (Reuters) - Italian rider Riccardo Ricco has been banned for two years after testing positive for the blood booster EPO in this year's Tour de France, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said Thursday.

The ban, imposed by a CONI tribunal, was harsher than expected as prosecutors had asked for a reduced 20-month suspension after Ricco admitted his guilt.

"I'm very disappointed and bitter, I expected more understanding," Ricco told reporters after Thursday's hearing. "But I did wrong and it's right that I pay."

The 25-year-old tested positive in a doping control after the fourth stage of July's three-week race. He initially protested his innocence after the failed test but then admitted taking the banned substance.

He was kicked out of the Tour and sacked by his Saunier-Duval team, who also left the race.

A statement on CONI's website (www.coni.it) said Ricco had been suspended for 18 months for taking banned substances and a further six months for consorting with Carlo Santuccione, a doctor accused of supplying doping products to athletes.

Coni said the ban would run until July 30, 2010.

Ricco, who won two Tour stages before his departure and was second in May's Giro d'Italia, also faces a criminal investigation in France for possession and use of drugs.