Basso appears at hearing

The Italian Olympic Committee8217;s doping prosecutors recommended last month that the 2006 Giro winner be banned for 21 months 8212; three months short of the maximum two-year ban. The prosecutors recommended the reduction because it was Basso8217;s first offense.

The International Cycling Union has recommended the full two-year ban and said it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if it wasn8217;t satisfied.

Basso is accused of using or attempting to use a banned substance or method, and 8220;possession of banned substances and methods.8221;

He was suspended by the Italian federation last month after acknowledging involvement in the Spanish doping probe, known as Operation Puerto. He confessed to 8220;attempted doping,8221; but said he never actually went through with it.