Petacchi absolved of blame

The 33-year-old sprinter was forced to miss the Tour de France after the Italian Olympic Committee, the country's anti-doping body, asked the federation to impose a one-year ban earlier this month.

However, the federation turned down the request after Petacchi attended a hearing in Rome.

The Milram rider, who won five stages of this year's Giro, has a medical certificate to use a set amount of salbutamol for his asthma and said he should be spared a ban because any overuse was human error.

"It is one of the most beautiful victories of my life," Petacchi told reporters. "I do not wish anyone to suffer like I have suffered because this has been the worse experience of my life.

"I have always believed that I did nothing wrong and now I can leave with my head held high.

"The decision of the disciplinary commission gives more credibility to all because it demonstrates that there is justice," he added.

"After a 12-year career, 140 races won, I can only say that I had no reason to ruin my career with a Ventolin inhaler. At the last Giro d'Italia I did nothing different from all the other times."

Cycling has been dogged by numerous doping scandals and CONI has been relentless in its bid to clean up the sport by probing Italian riders and the Giro, widely regarded as the second most important race after the Tour.

The 2006 Giro champion Ivan Basso is serving a two-year ban for attempted doping.

Danilo Di Luca, who won this year's race, is waiting to hear if he faces a suspension for his links to a doctor alleged to have supplied doping products to athletes. Di Luca denies any wrongdoing.

However, the cycling fraternity was surprised by CONI's hard line with Petacchi and the federation's decision not to ratify their request for a suspension may cause friction.