Basso, who was excluded from the Tour de France after being implicated in a Spanish doping investigation, denied using banned substances in a first appearance before Italian anti-doping authorities late last month.

That hearing was adjourned to Sept. 12. The Italian Olympic Committee said Thursday the case has now been moved to Sept. 29.

Basso was among nine riders _ including German veteran Jan Ullrich _ withdrawn from the Tour de France on the eve of the start of the race. Their names had turned up on a list of cyclists who allegedly had contact with a Spanish doctor accused of running a blood doping clinic in Madrid.

Olympic committee officials have said Basso could face a maximum two-year ban if found guilty.

The committee can refer the case to a disciplinary body of the Italian Cycling Federation, which would try him or dismiss the case.