Italian cyclist Pirazzi gets four-year ban

Stefano Pirazzi, a former mountain and stage winner at the Giro d'Italia, has been suspended for four years after returning a positive doping test in May.

Stefano Pirazzi, who won a stage of the 2014 Giro d'Italia, has been banned for doping until 2021. (AAP)

Italian cyclist Stefano Pirazzi has been banned for four years for a positive doping test ahead of the Giro d'Italia.

The International Cycling Union says the 30-year-old is suspended until May 3, 2021.

The UCI says he tested positive for growth hormone-releasing peptides in training one week before the Giro began in May.

Pirazzi won the mountains classification in the 2013 Giro and a stage of the three-week race the next year.

He was fired by his Bardiani CSF team within a month of the positive test.

Pirazzi can appeal against his ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.