FCI to hear Petacchi in late July

The disciplinary board of the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) disciplinary commission has set a date for hearing the case of Milram's Alexander Petacchi on July 24 in Rome. Following a hearing on July 4, CONI's anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri suggested a one year sentence.

The 33 year-old sprinter had a non-negative test for the asthma drug Salbutamol during this year's Giro d'Italia. Although he had dispensation for the asthma product, the levels that were recorded at the Giro were abnormally high, leading to CONI's investigation.

Petacchi is currently suspended by his Milram team while a verdict is pending. He is also missing this year's Tour de France, which starts in London on Saturday.

Petacchi, who signed the UCI's anti doping charter on Tuesday, could be required to repay a year's salary to the organisation under conditions of the new agreement, should he be found guilty of doping.