ROME — Italian cyclist Danilo Di Luca faced questions Wednesday from the Italian Olympic Committee’s anti-doping prosecutor after testing positive for a banned substance.

The 33-year-old former Giro d’Italia winner arrived at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico flanked by two lawyers. They did not speak to reporters before the hearing that could lead to a sports trial for the rider.
Di Luca, who won the 2007 Giro, tested positive for the blood-booster CERA in samples taken May 20 and May 28 during this year’s race, where he won two stages and finished second overall.
The International Cycling Union has suspended Di Luca while the Italians conduct disciplinary proceedings against him.
After his 2007 Giro win, Di Luca served a three-month ban imposed by Italy’s Olympic Committee for visiting a doctor suspected of supplying athletes with banned drugs.
That means the positive test may be considered a second offense and could lead to a ban of up to four years.
Di Luca has denied doping.