Di Luca could be in clear
Italian prosecutors will likely drop any charges of doping allegations against Giro d’Italia champion Danilo Di Luca. According to a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport, prosecutors in Pescara have recommended that a new probe against Di Luca be dropped.

Di Luca’s been dogged by alleged links to a doctor in the “Oil for Drugs” doping investigation that dates back to the 2004 season. The Liquigas captain has denied any improprieties and was even cleared of any link to the investigation last month.

Authorities from the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), however, have decided to keep open his portfolio, at least until summer vacations end in early September.

Leading official Ettore Torri is interested in following up on any alleged links between Di Luca and Italian doctor Carlo Santuccione, an alleged collaborator with Operación Puerto brain trust Eufemiano Fuentes and one of the key figures in the “Oil for Drugs” inquiry.

Di Luca said he’s not losing any sleep over the persistent doubts.

“I am tranquilo,” Di Luca said after Saturday’s Clásica San Sebastián. “I have nothing to worry about. I haven’t been able to enjoy my (Giro) victory as I would have liked, but the most important thing is that I have nothing to do with these matters.”