Hondo optimistic

Sprinter Danilo Hondo is feeling optimistic again and hopes to return to pro cycling shortly, despite his recently announced two-year ban for doping. The Swiss Kantonsgericht has agreed to hear his appeal of the decision handed down by the CAS on January. Hondo's attorney, Michael Lehner, said that he filed the appeal in the Kantonsgericht instead of the Swiss national court because all the parties involved were located within Kanton Waadt. Lehner and Hondo asked the court to set the CAS decision aside entirely. They have also asked the court to allow Hondo to ride professionally again until it issues its decision.

In anticipation of a favourable court decision, Hondo has already asked agent Toni Rominger to look for a team for him, the Lausitzer Rundschau reports. "Toni is holding discussions and checking out the situation for me," he said. "I am optimistic again and hope to be able to race again as of April 1. It would be nice to be with a Pro Tour team - but it's not necessary. I could also imagine to ride for a German GS-II team."

Hondo has just returned from South Africa, where he trained with T-Mobile's Jan Ullrich, Giuseppe Guerini, Matthias Kessler, and Andreas Klöden. While there he was hit by a car, but not seriously injured.

Courtesy of Susan Westemeyer