Doping ban for Olympic medalist Tauler upheld

MADRID (AP) - The two-year doping ban for cyclist and former Olympic silver medalist Antonio "Toni'' Tauler has been upheld by Spain's National Court.

The court said Friday Tauler's appeal had been rejected because "no irregularities could be detected'' either in the gathering, transport or analysis of his samples. He tested positive for a banned blood-booster EPO in 2010.

Tauler won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with fellow Spanish cyclist Joan Llaneras.

On Monday, the major doping investigation in cycling, Operation Puerto, goes to trial after a seven-year wait.