Swiss Cycling expects court to uphold Hondo' ban

By Susan Westemeyer

Swiss Cycling expects the Bundesgericht (Swiss court) to uphold Danilo Hondo's two-year ban from cycling after he tested positive for the drug Carphedon. "I consider it as highly unlikely that the Bundesgericht will uphold Hondo's appeal and return the case for a new ruling.," said Bernhard Welten, of the national federation. "I believe that the Bundesgericht will reject the appeal and so uphold the CAS' decision."

Hondo tested positive in March 2005. Swiss Cycling originally issed a one-year ban. The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed that decision, and the CAS-TAS, the international sports court, issued the two year ban last January, effective until March 2007. Hondo was able to take advantage of a loophole in sports law because of where he lives in Switzerland and appealed the CAS decision in the Swiss court system. In June the Swiss Bundesgericht lifted the ban pending a final decision, allowing Hondo to ride over the summer.

Welten indicated that he did not know when the final decision would be issued. However, since the two-year ban expires on March 31, 2007, it seems unlikely that either side would have any interest in appealing whatever decision might be issued, as the ban would end before the appeal process would end.

Hondo has signed to ride with the continental professional team Tinkoff Credit Systems for next season.