September 14, 2009 – The UCI today advised Italian rider Maurizio Biondo that he is provisionally suspended. The decision to provisionally suspend Mr Biondo was made in response to a report from the WADA accredited laboratory in Lausanne indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of EPO (NESP) in a blood sample collected from him in an out-of-competition test on August 12, 2009.

The provisional suspension of Mr. Biondo remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the Italian Cycling Federation determines whether he has indeed committed an anti-doping rule violation under Article 21 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules.

Mr. Biondo has the right to request and attend the analysis of his B sample. Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time.