Gavazzi faces life ban for cocaine use

Italian cyclist Mattia Gavazzi could face a lifetime ban after testing positive for cocaine for the third time in his career.

Mattia Gavazzi in Amore & Vita-Selle SMP colours (Sirotti) Source: Sirotti

Under International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations, a third anti-doping violation triggers a minimum ban of eight years and a maximum of life.

The Amore & Vita-Selle SMP rider, 32, failed his first test in 2004 while still an amateur, and his second in 2010. The UCI said on Tuesday that Gavazzi's sample was collected on July 10, 2015.

He was suspended after the second positive test for six years but the Italian Olympic Committee reduced his ban to two-and-a-half years after he cooperated with anti-doping authorities.