Italian cyclist Rabottini tests positive for EPO

AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) — Italian cyclist Matteo Rabottini has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for EPO in training.

The International Cycling Union announced the temporary ban on its website following tests on a sample taken Aug. 7.

Rabottini was later withdrawn from Italy's team for the road world championships this month in Ponferrada, Spain.

The 27-year-old Rabottini, who rides for the Neri Sottoli team, faces a two-year ban.

He won a stage at the 2012 Giro d'Italia and the best climber classification.

Rabottini's is the second doping case announced this week by the UCI this week involving EPO, a hormone which boosts production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

Valentin Iglinskiy of Kazakhstan was fired by the Astana team after he admitted doping at the Eneco Tour last month.