Michael Lehner is not optimistic about the result of his client Danilo Hondo's appeal of his doping suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "After the hearing on November 22 in Lausanne I had a good feeling," he said. "But the power of WADA, which requested a two-year ban, makes me feel anxious. I don't know what to expect."
Hondo was banned for one year after having tested positive for Carphedon in March 2005. "WADA is the only one with this demand (for a two-year ban), but with the IOC backing them up, they have an enormous influence on the CAS, which isn't really independent," he told German news agency dpa. Lehner said he expected to hear the court's verdict next week. Hondo is currently training in South Africa with other German riders including T-Mobile's Jan Ullrich and Andreas Klöden. If he is acquitted, he is expected to re-sign with Team Gerolsteiner.
