Di Luca confident

"I explained everything I know. It was a cordial meeting and I feel confident for the future," Di Luca said outside CONI's headquarters in Rome.

The 31-year-old cyclist had been called to appear before CONI's doping prosecutor, Ettore Torri, to answer questions relating to a police investigation into drug-taking in Italian sport.

The three-year investigation, which is known as the "Oil for Drugs" probe, focuses on doctor Carlo Santuccione who is alleged to have supplied athletes with banned substances.

Torri told journalists that Di Luca had denied any involvement in the case.

"He says that he doesn't know anything," Torri said, adding that a decision on Di Luca would be taken by the end of next week.

If CONI found Di Luca guilty of drug-taking, he could face a two-year ban from the sport.

His hopes of avoiding a ban were raised earlier this week, however, when an Italian judge involved in the Oil for Drugs investigation decided there were no grounds to pursue a civil case against him.

"I'd like to repeat once again that I'm calm and that I believe I'm going to come out of this situation cleanly," said Di Luca.

"I'm training intensely at the moment. My objective is to stay in the world championship."