U.S. Postal Service rider cleared to race

LA MONGIE, France -- Lance Armstrong's teammate and another rider were cleared to race in the Tour de France on Friday despite their involvement in a case of suspected doping, a cycling official told The Associated Press.

The Council of Professional Cycling settled a dispute between Tour organizers and cycling's governing body on whether Pavel Padrnos of Armstrong's U.S. Postal Service team and Italy's Stefano Zanini of Quick Step-Davitamon could continue to race.

Padrnos and Zanini have been called to appear in October in a case involving suspected doping in the 2001 Tour of Italy.

The UCI, the sport's ruling body, believed they should not be thrown out while Tour organizers disagreed. The CPC ruled in favor of the UCI, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.