UCI lifts ban on medical adviser Mario Zorzoli

AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) The UCI has reinstated Mario Zorzoli as its medical adviser after being cleared of encouraging doping.

The former chief of the UCI medical commission was suspended in January after retired cyclist Michael Rasmussen accused him of protecting potential drug cheats a decade ago.

But the UCI says it lifted Zorzoli's suspension with immediate effect after the Cycling Independent Reform Commission ''reported that they found no evidence to support the allegations. Our review reached the same conclusion.''

Rasmussen's testimony in the investigation of Geert Leinders stated that Zorzoli had advised the former Rabobank cycling team doctor to give his riders the banned hormone DHEA.

Leinders was banned for life for multiple doping violations during his time with the Dutch team.