ROME, May 14: The anti-doping prosecutor of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on Monday requested an immediate suspension for Ivan Basso, the former Tour of Italy champion who is suspected of doping.

CONI, Italy's governing body for sport, made the request to the Italian Cycling Federation's disciplinary commission, describing it as a “precautionary measure”.

Last week Basso admitted he was involved in the Operation Puerto blood doping scandal that rocked last year's Tour de France. The 29-year-old Italian then denied ever having taken banned drugs or used blood transfusions, but admitted to having made an attempt to do so.

Basso, who is without a team after parting company with Discovery Channel, has not yet faced trial but could end up being banned for two years.

CONI also asked for Basso's Italian compatriot Michele Scarponi, who was also implicated in the scandal, to be suspended.

Basso and Scarponi were among dozens of riders implicated in the Operation Puerto doping affair.—AFP