Kessler given two-year ban

Matthias Kessler, formerly of Team Astana, has been given a two-year suspension for testosterone doping, the Disciplinary Committee of the Swiss Olympic Committee announced on Friday.

Kessler tested positive for testosterone in a surprise doping control on April 24 before the Flèche Wallonne, in which he finished fourth. He was suspended when the result of the A sample was announced the end of June, and fired when the B sample confirmed the findings.

The 28 year-old German, who lives in Switzerland, was also ordered to pay the court costs of 5000 Swiss Francs. "Matthias Kessler swears that he did not use testosterone," his attorney, Michael Lehner, told the German press agency dpa.