Kessler hearing scheduled

By Susan Westemeyer

Things have been quiet concerning Matthias Kessler's positive doping control for testosterone, but there may soon be an announcement. "The Swiss Olympic Disciplinary Committee for Doping Cases has set a date for the main hearing and a decision is expected shortly," spokesman Marco Steiner told Cyclingnews yesterday morning.

The 28 year-old German, who raced for Team Astana in 2006, tested positive for testosterone in a surprise doping control April 24 before La Flèche Wallonne, in which he finished fourth in the race. 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.

Kessler denied having used doping, and through his attorney put the blame on four packages "with Chinese writing on them" which he received from his alternative health practitioner. He ingested the contents, assuming they were food supplements.