Schumacher hopes for fair chance from UCI

Stefan Schumacher expects a "fair chance" to defend himself against doping charges in front of the International Cycling Union (UCI), charges which he continues to deny.

Last week the German rider announced that he had been suspended by the French National Anti-Doping Agency AFLD for two years. Schumacher had tested positive twice for CERA, a new generation of EPO, during last year's Tour de France.

The French decision was announced last week, but Schumacher said on his website, stefan-schumacher.com that he has not yet heard anything from the UCI. He did not even know whether they had opened a proceeding against him. "There is no way I can believe that the UCI will simply accept this scandalous verdict without undertaking some serious investigations themselves."

The 27-year-old said that he is "ready and willing" to attend a hearing before the UCI. "I am sure that my arguments will cause the UCI to very critically question the AFLD's decision. I have nothing to hide."

Under its own rules, the UCI cannot automatically accept the AFLD decision, Schumacher said. "And besides, I expect from my international federation a fair chance to defend myself, in contrast to the AFLD."(SW)