Hondo undergoes performance tests, medical tests, and doping tests

Danilo Hondo is diligently preparing for his hoped-for quick return to racing. His test Friday on the ergometer "showed that I haven't goofed off the last weeks and months, but on the contrary, it showed the best results that I have ever had in my career at this time of the season. The only thing that I am lacking is the intensity - and that means competition," he said on his website, www.danilo-hondo.de.

Medical tests at the University Clinic in Freiburg, Germany, gave equally good results, with the doctor "urgently recommending that I finally start racing again." On his way home, he stopped off and visited friend and former teammate Andreas Klöden, recovering from shoulder surgery. "I wanted to cheer him up and also motivate him to get back on his bike as soon as possible."

Hondo had to undergo another test last week - a doping test. "It is interesting that, despite my ban, I had to undergo an unannounced doping test last week for the third time during training. The Swiss Olympic control system works, even for athletes who are not actively competing."

Courtesy of Susan Westemeyer