Hondo to appeal in civil courts

Danilo Hondo has vowed to appeal his two-year doping suspension in the Swiss civil court system. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on Tuesday that Hondo would be suspended until April 1, 2007, and unable to ride for a Pro Tour team for another two years. He was tested positive for the drug Carphedon in March 2005.

"The decision says that at the hearing on November 22 I was unable to give an explanation for the substance that was proved to be found in me," Hondo said. "I couldn't do that because I still do not know how it came to be in my body. In addition, the Court has ordered the World Anti-Doping Agency (...) to change their doping list, because the active substance in Carphedon is listed under a different name there."

"The World Anti-Doping Agency has brutally accomplished its goal," continued Hondo's attorney, Michael Lehner. He said that he expects the case to be heard before the highest Swiss civil court "in a few weeks or even months." Hondo will continue training in the hopes of salvaging his career.

Hondo had hoped to re-sign with his former team, Gerolsteiner, but the sponsor made it clear that he would be welcomed back only if he was fully acquitted of the doping charges. "We have taken note of the CAS decision, which is tragic for Danilo Hondo as a person," said team spokesman Jörg Grünefeld. "We are very sorry for this probable end of his athletic career, but our position in this case is clear and unmistakable."

Courtesy of Susan Westemeyer