CANBERRA, Australia (AP):

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) says Cycling Australia has imposed a two-year ban on New South Wales state cyclist Jules Amos for the importation of erythropoietin (EPO).

ASADA said yesterday that the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service intercepted five airmail packages from Thailand between December 18 and December 28 and notified the agency.

It investigated and laboratory analysis confirmed that the substance contained in vials was EPO, a naturally occurring hormone which promotes the formation of red blood cells in the body and helps to increase endurance.

Amos will be ineligible to compete until July 13, 2012.