The Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) on Tuesday cleared Alessandro Petacchi of doping at this year's Giro d'Italia. The 33-year-old Italian sprinter escaped punishment despite being charged with the offense by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on July 4. CONI had recommended to the FCI that Petacchi be banned from cycling for 12 months.

"It's one of the most beautiful victories of my life," said a jubilant Petacchi, who earned the points jersey and five stage victories in this year's Giro. "I wouldn't wish for anyone to suffer in the way I have because it was the worst experience of my life."

Petacchi was accused of doping after a urine sample he gave at Pinerolo on May 23 after the third of his five stage wins showed an unusually high level of Salbutamol, a substance primarily used to treat asthma.

Salbutamol is a banned substance but riders suffering from asthma are allowed restricted use of the drug if they have a medical certificate.

Petacchi has such a certificate having suffered from asthma for many years. The World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list notes, however, that riders whose urine samples show a concentration of Salbutamol greater than 1000 nanograms per milliliter must prove that the elevated level is a result of normal therapeutic use. If a rider with a Therapeutic Use Exemption produces a level lower than 1000 ng/mL the burden of proof falls to anti-doping authorities, if they wish to show a violation.

Petacchi produced a level higher than the upper limit and was required to show that he did not take the drug orally or inject it and that his use of the inhaler was in keeping with its normal therapeutic use. On Tuesday, the FCI ruled that Petacchi and his attorneys had met that standard of proof.

Studies have shown that in addition to aiding in the treatment of asthma, Salbutamol can be used to increase an athlete's anaerobic power. According to study results, peak power appeared significantly earlier and was noticeably increased after Salbutamol use.

As a result of the investigation, Petacchi was barred from competing in the Tour de France - which started on July 7 - by his Milram team. Petacchi won four stages in the 2003 Tour de France.
Agence France Presse and VeloNews.com editor Charles Pelkey contributed to this report