The Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor has requested a life ban for Danilo Di Luca following the cyclist's third career offense.
Prosecutor Tammaro Maiello issued the request Monday and the case will now be decided by CONI's anti-doping court.
The 37-year-old Di Luca tested positive for EPO in a surprise test in April, five days before this year's Giro d'Italia.
In 2009, Di Luca was given a two-year ban after testing positive during the Giro for CERA. That ban was subsequently reduced by nine months after he collaborated with authorities.
And after winning the 2007 Giro, Di Luca was banned for three months later in the year for frequent visits to Carlo Santuccione, a physician at the center of a four-year doping investigation titled Oil for Drugs.
