Pre-Giro doper Pirazzi banned for four years

Paris - Stefano Pirazzi, one of two riders sacked by the Bardiani team and thrown out of the 2017 Giro D'Italia, has been banned for four years for his positive doping test from April.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) confirmed the ban on Wednesday saying Pirazzi tested positive for human growth hormones in an out-of-competion test in April, which was revealed on the eve of the Giro, and in the more recent 'B' test.

The 30-year-old Pirazzi will not be eligible until May 3, 2021, as the UCI backdated the ban.

Pirazzi's former team-mate Nicola Ruffoni also tested positive but the UCI is yet to deliver a verdict.