CYCLING:Italian cyclist Eddy Mazzoleni should serve a two-year ban for doping offences, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said yesterday. Mazzoleni, who finished third in last year's Giro d'Italia, was left out of the Tour de France and quit the Astana team in July because of his links to a lengthy Italian doping probe.

The investigation has focused on a doctor alleged to have supplied athletes with prohibited substances.

The 2007 Giro winner, Danilo Di Luca, was given a three-month ban in October for his involvement with the doctor but has always denied doping.

The Italian Cycling Federation must now decide whether to rubberstamp CONI's request for a ban on Mazzoleni.