Rio 2016: Australian gold medallist Michael Gallagher out of Paralympics after testing positive to EPO

Australian gold-medal-winning cyclist Michael Gallagher will not compete at the Paralympics in Rio after it was revealed he tested positive to a banned blood booster.

Gallagher, who won back-to-back golds in the individual pursuit at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, was handed a mandatory provisional suspension by Cycling Australia and the Australian Paralympic Committee after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO).

The 37-year-old was tested out of competition at a training camp in Italy in July, according to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

"The test was coordinated by ASADA as part of a comprehensive pre-Rio anti-doping program to ensure the integrity of the Australian Paralympic team," ASADA said.

Cycling Australia chief executive Nick Green said the organisation had a zero-tolerance drugs policy and "fully supports the rigorous testing done by ASADA and the action taken by the Australian Paralympic Committee".

In addition to his two straight gold medals, Scotland-born Gallagher also won bronze in the individual road race in Beijing and the individual time trial in London.