Diego Ulissi given back-dated nine-month ban for failing drugs test at 2014 Giro d'Italia

Diego Ulissi has been given a back-dated nine-month ban for testing positive for Salbutamol at last year’s Giro d’Italia.

The Lampre-Merida rider recorded illegal levels of the drug, which is used to treat asthma, in a doping control after stage 11 on May 25. He had earlier won stages five and eight but quit the race after 17 stages due to illness.

Ulissi’s ban has been backdated to June 25, 2014, meaning he will be eligible to return to racing from March 28 this year.

The Italian, who had declared the use of an inhaler, was found by Swiss anti-doping authorities to have acted negligently but not with the intention to improve his performance, a Lampre-Merida statement said.

Ulissi said in the statement: “Finally a decision has come today after a long and difficult period for me.

“I feel it is important to underline the recognition that I have not acted with the intent to improve my athletic performance, but it has been established that I committed negligen[ce], which of course I regret, especially for the corresponding damage which has been caused to the team.”

Lampre-Merida have indicated they will stand by Ulissi.

The statement added: “The team would like to expresses there support to the athlete, while at the same time take a few days to evaluate the situation with more precision together with the medical staff."

Ulissi’s results in 2014, including his Giro stage wins, will stand.