Cycling-Giro winner Di Luca called to appear at doping hearing

ROME, June 28 (Reuters) The 2007 Giro d'Italia winner Danilo Di Luca has been called to appear before the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) over a police investigation into doping, the organisation announced today.

Di Luca's hearing before CONI's anti-doping committee, which is scheduled for next Thursday, is connected to a four-year probe into Italian doctor Carlo Santuccione, who is alleged to have supplied athletes with doping products.

The third-placed finisher at this year's Giro, Eddy Mazzoleni, and two other Italian riders - Ruggero Marzoli and Domenico Quagliarello - have also been called.

Di Luca was among four riders in this year's Giro given surprise drug tests after racing late on May 31.

He said at the time: ''I was told that under international and Italian cycling rules I didn't have to do the extra tests but I did them because I've go nothing to hide.

''I'm not at all worried because it's related to 2004 and my lawyer has already asked that my case be closed.'' In a separate matter, Italian sprint specialist Alessandro Petacchi is also set to appear next week to explain a non-negative test at this year's Giro.

The 33-year-old was found to have unusually high levels of the anti-asthma drug salbutamol following the 11th stage on May 23. He is due to appear on Monday and is keen to resolve the matter before the start of the Tour de France on July 7.

Reuters CS RN2151