Petacchi case set for CAS

Petacchi tested positive for excess levels of salbutamol during May's Giro d'Italia but was cleared by the Italian Cycling Federation after arguing that he used salbutamol in his asthma inhaler.

However, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), who had requested a one-year ban, appealed the decision and the commission ruled that only CAS was competent to deal with the matter.

Ettore Torri, CONI's anti-doping prosecutor, rejected accusations he was hounding the 33-year-old Milram rider, who will be allowed to continue racing.

"I am only doing my job. My duty is to pursue violations of anti-doping rules and this by Petacchi is a violation", Torri told reporters.

"We will check the conditions but for sure we will go to present an appeal to CAS in Lausanne."

Torri has been relentless in his bid to clean up Italian sport, especially cycling, which has rocked by numerous doping scandals.

The 2006 Giro winner Ivan Basso was banned for two years for attempted doping while this year's champion Danilo Di Luca is waiting to hear if he faces sanctions for links to a doctor accused of supplying doping products to athletes.