ROME — Italian cyclist Alessandro Petacchi was cleared of doping charges Tuesday by his national federation, which ruled that he used an asthma drug for legitimate medical reasons.
Petacchi had registered a "non-negative" test for salbutamol after winning the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia on May 23.
The Italian cycling federation said it understood that the drug use was only for "therapeutic" needs and "did not constitute a violation of the existing anti-doping rules."
"It's one of the most beautiful victories of my life," Petacchi said.
The Italian Olympic Committee said in a statement later Tuesday that it would appeal the ruling. CONI's anti-doping prosecutors said there was no proof that Petacchi hadn't been negligent in taking the substance.
Petacchi was removed from Milram's Tour de France team when CONI recommended a one-year ban two days before the start of the race. CONI charged him over the "presence of a banned substance" in his system.
"I don't wish upon anyone to suffer like I've suffered because this has been the worst experience of my life," Petacchi said, according to the ANSA news agency. "I always believed I hadn't done anything, and now I'm coming out with my head held high."
Petacchi is authorized by the International Cycling Union to use a certain amount of salbutamol as part of his regular medication, Ventolin. Elevated levels of the drug can have performance-enhancing effects.
"The decision by the disciplinary committee gives more credibility to everyone, because it shows that there is justice, that there are some people who are guilty and some who are not," Petacchi said.
The same disciplinary panel recently suspended former Giro champion Ivan Basso for two years and handed Michele Scarponi an 18-month ban for their involvement in the Spanish blood-doping scandal "Operation Puerto."
Petacchi was accompanied to the hearing by Milram team physician Claudio Sprenger and Australian teammate Brett Lancaster, who both testified that Petacchi used the inhaler only for asthma purposes.
The 33-year-old Petacchi is a sprint specialist who won five stages during this year's Giro and 24 in his career. He has also won four Tour de France stages.
