BETTINI IN WORLDS BUT DI LUCA OUT

Danilo Di Luca

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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