Schumacher fights French anti-doping agency

Stefan Schumacher started a media offensive against the French anti-doping agency (AFLD) and its doping charges against him. He maintained his innocence and blasted the French agency as part of an appearance on German sports show ZDF Sportstudio Saturday night.

"Since the AFLD consistently refuses to bring this case to light, I will stay on the offensive and give everything, so that the case is completely explained," the 27-year-old said on his personal website.

Schumacher won both time trials in last year's Tour de France. The AFLD announced that he had tested positive for CERA, a new generation of blood booster EPO, in October. The agency suspended the German for two years last month.

Schumacher criticised a taped appearance by Pierre Bordry, president of the AFLD, saying he told "out-and-out lies". The former Gerolsteiner rider said that Bordry claimed Schumacher was notified last summer of irregularities in his blood values and that he had waived the opening of his B sample. "Both are demonstrably false" statements, according to Schumacher.

Schumacher noted that the B sample has not yet been opened. "Before I use it, I want to know what happened with my A sample. Why should I trust the people who already messed up my A sample?

"I have never said that I didn't want to have the B sample opened. I have only asked to have the deadline extended." (SW)