Italian Danilo Di Luca (Saeco) intends to sue Tour de France organizers for barring him because he is under investigation in Italy for doping offences.

Di Luca was among 14 riders charged by Italian police earlier this year.

"I'm going to sue the Tour de France and ask for considerable damages," Di Luca told Reuters after returning to Italy from Liège, where the Tour will start on Saturday.

"I decided to take legal action after the meeting with race director Jean Marie Leblanc. Not being able to ride the Tour de France has caused huge damage to my image. I've been working hard for two months to get ready for the Tour, but now I've been sent home just before the start."

"There was no reason why I should not be allowed but Leblanc decided otherwise. He decides everything at the Tour de France."

Di Luca said he will be represented by Milan based lawyer Federico Cecconi who has defended many of the Italian riders involved in doping investigations.

Tour organizers are attempting to clean up the race's image after a string of scandals in recent years by ruling out riders involved in drugs probes.