The Italian team let out a huge sigh of relief on Thursday night when UCI president Pat McQuaid said Paolo Bettini would be able to ride in Sunday's Elite Men's Road Race.
Defending World Champion Bettini had been at the centre of controversy after it was reported that suspended rider Patrick Sinkewitz had accused him of supplying banned substances. Sinkewitz has now openly denied ever having accused Bettini of such action.
The Italians' celebrations were short lived when the Italian anti-doping investigators Procura announced they had deferred Danilo Di Luca (pictured) - meaning he would not be able to ride the World Championships.
The Procura have asked that Di Luca is suspended for four months for working with Dr Santuccione while he was suspended for doping. Di Luca announced the news himself in a press conference before packing his bags ready to head home.
It is expected that Giovanni Visconti or Vincenzo Nibali will replace Di Luca in the nine-rider Italian team for Sunday's men's Elite road race.
2007 ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NEWS
Wiggins and Millar disappointed with TT ride
Bettini denies supplying drugs to Sinkewitz
Valverde can race at World Championships
Eddy Merckx not welcome at Worlds
Cooke out of Worlds, Brailsford names GB squad
British team get extra places for U23 Worlds
Boonen out of Worlds
Should Valverde ride the Worlds?
2007 ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS COVERAGE
Cancellara retains World TT title
2007 Road World Championships preview
Elite Men Time Trial: full start list
Elite Women's Time Trial: Pooley takes eighth,
Under-23 Time Trial: Boom takes second world title in 2007
TV guide: World Champs on British Eurosport
TV guide: World Champs on BBC
2007 ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PHOTO GALLERIES
Click here to see a gallery of photos of the Elite Men's Time Trial
Elite Women's Time Trial World Championships
Men's Under-23 Time Trial World Championships
2006 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
World Champs 2006: Cancellara nets gold in TT
World Champs 2006: Cooke blasts to bronze in Salzburg
EXTERNAL LINKS
Official 2007 Road World Championships website: www.radwm2007.com.
Union Cycliste Internationale: www.uci.ch.
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