UCI suspends Schumacher

by VeloNation Press at 9:29 AM EST

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Categories: Pro Cycling, Doping

The Union Cycliste Internationionale (UCI) has decided to take action against German Stefan Schumacher for his positive doping test from last years Tour de France.

Schumacher, along with teammate Bernhard Kohl, tested positive in a retroactive test of blood samples taken during the 2008 Tour de France. The addtional tests on their blood samples were made after a test for CERA, a new form of EPO, was made available for use by the French Anti-Doping Agency.

Because of the circumstances with attaining the positive results, the UCI has not acted on the situation until now.

Also caught using CERA in the retroactive tests were Italian teammates Riccardo Ricco and Leonardo Piepoli. Together the four riders can claim a good bit of responsibility for companies withdrawing their cycling sponsorships.

Schumacher is the only rider of the four that continues to maintain his innocence.

The UCI's delay in his suspension has caused problems for Patrick Lefevere's Quick-Step team as they had signed the rider for the 2009 season. Lefevere had threatened to file suit against the UCI if they continued to delay sanctions against the German.

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