Luca Ascani is facing a two-year ban from cycling after Italian Olympic Committee anti-doping prosecutors recommended that the Italian national time trial champion be handed the maximum punishment for a positive EPO test.

The 24-year-old Loreto native tested positive for the banned blood-boosting drug in both his A and B samples at the Italian national championships in Novi Ligure on June 26.

The Aurum Hotels rider, who beat out Marco Pinotti to win the 42.8-km time trial, was suspended on August 2 pending an investigation by CONI.

The Italian cycling federation, which banned Giro D'Italia winner Danilo Di Luca for three months because of ties to a controversial doctor, will now rule on the case.

Eurosport