Danilo Di Luca was excluded from the UCI Pro Tour on Thursday, two days after he was banned for three months by the Italian Olympic Committee following a doping investigation.

Italian rider Danilo di Luca (front) celebrates as he rides during the 21th and last stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race from Vestone to Milan in this June 3, 2007 file picture. [Agencies]

CONI suspended Di Luca for his ties to Italian doctor Carlo Santuccione, who allegedly provided athletes with doping products in what anti-doping prosecutors have labeled the "Oil for Drugs" case.

Santuccione served a five-year suspension from 1995-2000.

Di Luca had led second-place Cadel Evans of Australia by 15 points for the overall title going into Saturday's season-ending Giro di Lombardia.

Evans now leads the rankings with 227 points, followed by Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and UCI Pro Tour defending champion Alejandro Valverde with both on 191.

Contador or Valverde will need to place at least second on Saturday and hope Evans finishes outside the top seven to clinch the title.

The winner of the Giro di Lombardia is awarded 50 points, with 40 for second, 35 for third, 30 for fourth, 25 for fifth, 20 for sixth, and 15 for seventh.