CONI prosecutor seeks 2 1/2-year ban for Gavazzi

CONI prosecutor seeks 2 1/2-year ban for Gavazzi

Published Oct. 26, 2011 9:14 a.m. ET

The Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor has recommended a 2 1/2-year ban for cyclist Mattia Gavazzi following a second offense for cocaine.

Gavazzi tested positive on March 31 of last year following the prologue of the Settimana Lombarda race in Bergamo. He won the second stage of the race two days later.

The Colnago CSF-Inox rider was suspended for 14 months for a cocaine offense when he was an amateur in 2004.

The prosecutor recommended that a four-year second-offense ban be reduced by 18 months since Gavazzi collaborated with CONI's investigation.

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CONI's internal anti-doping court will now decide the case.

Gavazzi's father, Pierino, won the Milan-San Remo classic in 1980 and five Giro d'Italia stages.

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