The Giro d'Italia runner-up Danilo Di Luca has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned blood booster CERA.
The International Cycling Union's shock announcement is another hammer blow for Italian cycling after a raft of riders were involved in doping probes, including 2007 Giro winner Di Luca on two previous occasions.
The 33-year-old faces a two-year suspension from the sport should his B sample returns positive.
The LPR rider, who is not racing in the Tour de France, won two stages in this year's Giro where he continually said he had nothing to do with doping.
