Lefevere threatens to sue AFLD over Schumacher case

Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere has said that he will sue the French Anti-Doping Agency, AFLD, if the agency doesn't take action on the Stefan Schumacher case within two weeks.

The German rider tested positive for CERA during the Tour de France, it was announced in October. However, his B samples have still not been tested and there are apparently no on-going investigations into the matter. Schumacher has continued to maintain his innocence and has applied for a licence to ride this season for Quick Step. He had signed with the Belgian team before the test results were announced and Quick Step said at that time that it considered the contract void.

"Where is he now, the great Mr. Bordry?" Lefevere asked rhetorically, referring to Pierre Bordry, president of the AFLD. "In the Tour he put on a big show, but now you do not hear from him. He doesn't even answer my emails."

"If Bordry does not take any action within two weeks, I will hit him with a lawsuit," the Belgian continued, according to nieuwsblad.be. "Because in principle Schumacher is right. As long as he has not been found guilty, he can ride and I have no reason not to comply with the contract. Or I pay him not to ride, which I would not gladly do."

The alternative would be to let Schumacher race. "But what do you think the ASO would say if Schumacher is on the start list for Paris-Nice? They would say, 'No, we don't want him.'"