Menchov has also been disqualified from the 2009 and 2012 Tours de France.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) said "abnormalities were clearly identified" in his athlete biological passport during the three Tours.

Menchov, who retired last year, has been banned until April 9 2015.

He was promoted into second place in the 2010 Tour de France after Spaniard Alberto Contador was stripped of the win for doping.

The Russian came 51st in the 2009 Tour, and 15th in 2012.

He won the 2005 Vuelta a Espana when original winner Roberto Heras was disqualified for doping, and took victory again in 2007.

In 2009, he won the Giro d'Italia.

At the London 2012 Olympics, Menchov finished 20th in the time trial and 98th in the road race.

Denis Menchov (right) was promoted into second in the 2010 Tour de France after Alberto Contador (left) was stripped of the win ©Getty Images



The UCI said its case against Menchov was initiated last year, adding: "The rider has exercised his procedural rights and accepted a proposal of sanction in accordance with the UCI anti-doping rules.

"WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and RUSADA (Russian Anti-Doping Agency) have been duly informed and the sanction published on the UCI list of doping sanctions."

In May, 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome of Great Britain criticised the UCI for not subjecting either him or other top cyclists to any out-of-competition drug tests while at a training camp in Tenerife ahead of this year's Tour.

The governing body said at the time it would investigate the situation.