Marc Lotz close to contract with DFL-Cyclingnews

By Susan Westemeyer

Marc Lotz is hoping to return to professional cycling after sitting out a two-year suspension for using EPO. The 34 year-old Belgian plans to sign with the Belgian Professional Continental Team DFL-Cyclingnews, run by former professional Eric Vanderaerden. . "I hope that the formalities are all taken care of at the UCI, because I am itching to return as a pro," he told the Dutch website ad.nl. He has been riding for the amateur team Löwik the last few months.

Lotz rode for Team Rabobank from 1998 to 2004, before joining Team Quick.Step-Innergetic in 2005. He resigned from the team in June of that year, announcing that he had used EPO in his preparations for the Tour de France. The drug was found in his refrigerator during a police search. The Belgian cycling federation gave him the two-year suspension, which ended on June 1, 2007.