Italy's Alessandro Ballan, the world road race champion in 2008, was handed a two-year doping ban by Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI) on Friday.
The 36-year-old rider was then sacked by his current team BMC.
Ballan was punished by CONI's anti-doping tribunal after it ruled he had contravened article 2.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code relating to "the use or attempted use of banned substances".
A statement from CONI confirmed the "suspension of two years with effect from January 17, 2014 until January 16, 2016.
"Ballan has also been condemned to pay the costs of this proceeding, estimated at E400 ($A600) and to pay a fine of E2,000 ($A3,000)."
Ballan was suspected of being embroiled in a doping affair which has also implicated two doctors, Guido Nigrelli and Fiorenzo Egeo Bonazzi -- both of whom were alleged to have aided his attempt to procure and use banned substances.
CONI prosecutors had initially requested the ban on the basis of evidence supplied by a public prosecutor in Mantua.
CONI banned Nigrelli for life and Bonazzi for four years.
Ballan had previously been suspended by BMC due to allegations of doping but, after being cleared by the Swiss-American team, the former winner of the Tour of Flanders resumed racing in May 2010.
BMC said in recent days they were standing by Ballan pending the outcome of the tribunal.
However, in keeping with the team's strict anti-doping policy, Ballan's contract was terminated on Friday.
BMC, speaking through president/general manager Jim Ochowicz, said in a statement: "Ballan received a two-year suspension from CONI Friday for charges in connection with his former team.
"In accordance with the BMC Racing Team's strict anti-doping policy, Ballan is no longer a member of the BMC Racing Team."
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