Carlos Roman Golbano's appeal of a case initially presented in September 2007 was denied by a provincial court in Almeria earlier today.

Cycling's governing body (UCI), which launched the case jointly with the Spanish cycling federation, called it a "major step forward" in the fight against doping.

UCI president Pat McQuaid says the ruling recognizes "the basic principles upon which our strategies and actions are based."

Golbano, who rode for Costa Almeria/Paternina, failed a pre-race blood test at the 2004 Vuelta a Espana.