Di Luca given doping suspension

Coni had recommended a four-month ban for the Italian, 31, for his ties to doctor Carlo Santuccione, who served a five-year suspension from 1995-2000.

Santuccione allegedly provided athletes with doping products in what became known as the "Oil for Drugs" case.

"It's an injustice," said Di Luca. "I'm absolutely convinced of my innocence."

The ruling means the ProTour leader will miss the competition's last race of the season, Saturday's Giro di Lombardia in northern Italy.

Di Luca was forced to pull out of the road cycling world championships in Stuttgart just three days before they started last month, after Coni's anti-doping chief Ettore Torri charged the Liquigas rider.

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