Italian star Reda banned for eight years for doping

Italian road race runner-up Francesco Reda has been suspended for eight years after testing positive for banned blood booster EPO, Italian media reported Friday.

Reda, who rides for Team Idea, produced the positive test at the end of the Italian championships where he came in second behind Vincenzo Nibali.

Reda, 33, was barely back in the saddle after having served a 14-month suspension for avoiding a doping test in 2013.

His second place at last June’s Italian championships has been scrapped. – Agence France-Presse