Matteo Rabottini handed 21-month suspension

The Union Cycliste Internationale has announced that Italian rider Matteo Rabottini has been handed a 21-month ban from the sport after failing a drugs test.

The 27-year-old tested positive for erythropoietin, otherwise known as EPO, in an out-of-competition test in August.

A two-year suspension was avoided due to his cooperation with authorities, and he will be eligible to return to professional cycling in May 2016.

Rabottini, who rides for the Neri Sottoli team, is best known for winning the King of the Mountains jersey at the 2012 Tour of Italy.