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Rabottini was later withdrawn from Italy's team for the road world championships this month in Ponferrada, Spain.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