Former Tour of Spain winner Roberto Heras plans to return to professional cycling when he completes a two-year ban for testing positive for EPO later this month.

"At the start I didn't want to know anything about cycling, but as time has gone by and from about a year or so ago I've changed my mind," the 33-year-old told Spanish daily Sport.

"Physically I've stayed in shape, I've gone out on the bike every day and the truth is I'm keen to return."

The former Liberty Seguros rider was suspended for two years after testing positive for the banned blood booster in the penultimate stage of the 2005 Tour of Spain when he was on his way to a record fourth triumph.

EPO stimulates the production of red blood cells, increasing oxygen-carrying capacity and therefore improving endurance.

Heras was also one of the riders implicated in Spain's Operation Puerto doping investigation.

The Spaniard, a former U.S. Postal team-mate of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, denied ever taking performance enhancing substances but his appeal against the ban was unsuccessful.

Although he will complete his suspension on October 27, Heras will be unable to ride for a ProTour team for another two years because of the ethics code signed by the sport's top-ranking outfits.

"I would have liked to have returned to an elite team, but the situation prevents that," he said. "It's incredible that they can ban you for four years...I think two years is sufficient punishment."

Heras said he had been in contact with Vicente Belda, his former sporting director at the now defunct Kelme team, over a possible return for the Fuerteventura outfit.

"Several teams have shown their interest," he told Spanish daily El Pais.

"But for me to accept an offer it has to meet my sporting aspirations, we have to agree a calendar and so on...Of course I'm interested in the money too, I'm not going to ride for nothing, but the salary is a secondary issue."

Reuters