Michael Lehner, attorney for sprinter Danilo Hondo, who tested positive twice for the drug Carphedon during the Tour of Murcia in March, noted that because of the recurring differences between A and B tests for EPO, he would advise Roberto Heras to challenge the test. Nevertheless, Lehner refused to comment as to whether he would represent Heras, who has been suspended from his Liberty Seguros team after a positive A test for EPO taken during the Vuelta a España.
Regarding the case of his current client, Hondo, the German attorney said that he assumed the International Sports Tribunal TAS would uphold the conviction and suspension of his client at the hearing next month. The court is scheduled to hear Hondo's appeal of his two-year suspension (one year of which is on probation) on November 22. Lehner said that he will ask the court to clear his client of all charges, but thinks that will not happen.
